Kentucky Guard

Kentucky Guard Attends Leader Engagement with Djibouti
July 16, 2024 — Kentucky leadership attended Djibouti’s Independence Day parade and met with Djiboutian and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) leaders as part of the State Partnership Program (SPP)... MORE

CJTF-HOA conducts operations to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and coalition interests, primarily in the East Africa region. The command is critical to U.S. Africa Command's efforts to build partner capacity to counter violent extremists and address other regional security partnerships. The command works against malign actors to strengthen collective security forces and respond to crises to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.

Kentucky Guard engineers support Djibouti armed forces at Camp Dodge
June 27, 2024 — In a dynamic exchange of expertise and camaraderie and sponsored by the Kentucky National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP), engineers from the Kentucky Army National Guard welcomed their counterparts from the Djibouti Armed Forces (DAF) during the unit’s annual training event at Camp Dodge, in May 2024. The 206th Engineer Battalion, part of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), showcased how they set up a battalion-sized command post and conduct a field training exercise (FTX). The DAF officers, with aspirations to form their own engineer battalion, observed established practices of the Kentucky engineers while gaining insights on command and control, logistics, personnel accountability, operations, and communication... MORE

Engineers with the 130th Engineer support Company, 206th Engineer Battalion, Kentucky National Guard, set the foundation blocks for a retaining wall at Camp Dodge, Iowa on May 15, 2024. The 206th Engineer Battalion worked on various construction projects at Camp Dodge for their annual training. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Dickson)

Ecuador-Kentucky Guard partnership welcomes C-130 to Ecuadorian Air Force
May 6, 2024 — The Ecuadorian Air Force welcomed a C-130H Hercules into its inventory March 25, 2024, during a ceremony attended by leadership from the Kentucky Air National Guard, who were on hand to congratulate their State Partnership Program colleagues on the new capability... MORE

Members of the Ecuadorian Air Force salute during a ceremony welcoming the arrival of a C-130H Hercules to the Ecuadorian Air Force in Latacunga, Ecuador, March 25, 2024. The ceremony, which included top Ecuadorian military and civilian leaders, marked a new milestone in Ecuador’s participation in the National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, which has paired Ecuador and the Kentucky National Guard for mutual military cooperation. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

Kentucky Guardsmen, Ecuador's special forces unite in urban warfare exchange
April 10, 2024 — Kentucky infantry soldiers and Ecuadorian military special forces exchanged urban operations tactics in Latacunga, Ecuador, from March 18-22, 2024, enhancing interagency relations and military readiness through the Kentucky National Guard State Partnership Program... MORE

Ecuadorian Army Col. Gustavo Iturralde, commander of Ecuador's 9th Special Forces Brigade, talks with Kentucky Army National Guard in Latacunga, Ecuador, March 18, 2024.

Enduring state partnership strengthens leader development through exchange
April 10, 2024 — Members of the Ecuadorian military visited the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, February 24-28, 2024, for a leadership exchange focused on military officer development. This engagement, part of a long-term strategy to foster relationships and share tactical insights, underscored the commitment of both nations to continue building a strong partnership through shared experiences and learning, with a focus on officer development, cultural exchange, and overcoming operational challenges... MORE

Kentucky Army National Guard officer candidates mix with Ecuadorian Army, Navy, and Air Force cadets for a group photo at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Kentucky, Feb. 24-28, 2024.

Kentucky Guard hosts Ecuadorian military for leader engagement
February 13, 2024 — Eight senior ranking officials representing Ecuador’s Army, Navy and Air Force got to hear and see what the Kentucky National Guard was about and build bonds between the two countries that are beneficial to both countries... MORE

During the four-day visit, the Ecuadorians visited multiple locations in Frankfort, they participated in capability briefings by the Kentucky Army National Guard and Kentucky Emergency Management, toured the capitol, and had a highlight visit with Governor Andy Beshear.

Ecuadorian military leaders visit Kentucky Air Guard
February 2, 2024 — Key leaders from the Ecuadorian military met with Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard on Jan. 31, 2024, to tour the 123rd Airlift Wing in Louisville, Ky., and learn more about the wing’s missions. They also spoke with unit members about their roles in supporting U.S. military operations around the world while also serving the Commonwealth of Kentucky during times of crisis or natural disaster... MORE

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Elija Lamastus, right, a medic assigned the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Medical Group Detachment 1, demonstrates the use of a combat application tourniquet to Ecuadorian Navy Adm. Jaime Patricio Vela Erazo, chief of staff of the Ecuadorian military, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. Vela Erazo is one of several Ecuadorian military leaders visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Kentucky Soldiers and Airmen awarded a new state ribbon for State Partnership Program
April 13, 2023 — Kentucky National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were the first to receive a new joint state ribbon recognizing service with the State Partnership Program (SPP) in a ceremony at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Kentucky on April 13, 2023. As of the ceremony, 34 Soldiers and Airmen qualified for the new ribbon and those present were awarded their orders for record and the official ribbon. ... MORE

The Kentucky State Partnership Program (SPP) ribbon is the newest state ribbon to be awarded to Soldiers and Airmen of the Kentucky National Guard. The new ribbon was created to honor Soldiers and Airmen who enhance military-to-military relationships in subject matter expert engagement with one of Kentucky’s partner nations, Ecuador and Djibouti. (U.S. Army photo by Andy Dickson)

Kentucky National Guard conducts Senior Enlisted Leader Seminar with Ecuadorian Military
April 12, 2023 — This seminar was the first of its kind in the KYNG and Ecuadorian partnership's nearly 30-year trajectory, focused solely on sharing non-commissioned officer competencies, capabilities, and leadership responsibilities... MORE

During the seminar, the participants exchanged best-practices on topics involving non-commissioned officer competencies, capabilities and leadership responsibilities. (Submitted photos)

Kentucky Guard signal leaders swap knowledge, build relationships with counterparts in partner nation Djibouti
September 12, 2022 — Although the early-morning sun was still low in the sky, temperatures were already hovering near 100 degrees, as a small group of Kentucky National Guard signal leaders made their way in utility vehicles across the rugged, barren terrain of sunbaked Djibouti, a small country in East Africa... MORE

Kentucky Army National Guard instructors meet with Ecuadorian instructors
June 30, 2022 — Kentucky Army National Guard instructors met with six Ecuadorian enlisted instructors at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky. on June 27-30, 2022. Senior noncommissioned officer instructors from the 238th Regional Training Institute (RTI) met with senior noncommissioned officer instructors from Ecuador’s Army and Air Force in an engagement to share ideas on how to train their servicemembers. ... MORE

Kentucky Army National Guard and Ecuadorian enlisted instructors pose for a group photo at the rappel tower at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky. on June 29, 2022. Ecuadorian enlisted servicemembers visited the 238th RTI to exchange instructor techniques and procedures in part of the State Partnership Program. (U.S. Army photo by Andy Dickson)

Kentucky Guard hosts first Senior Leader Engagement with Ecuador in over a decade
April 27, 2022 — Key leaders from the Kentucky Army and Air National Guard welcomed Ecuadorian military forces and political leaders from March 28 through 31, 2022, for the most significant Ecuadorian delegation visit to the United States in over a decade... MORE

Ecuadorian leaders visit Kentucky National Guard as a part of the State Partnership Program on March 28, 2022, in Frankfort, Kentucky. The week-long engagement is the first in-person conference the two countries have held together since 2018.

New BAOs for Ecuador and Djibouti
April 15, 2022 — The Kentucky National Guard has two new leaders heading up the State partnership program as their Bilateral Affairs Officers for Ecuador and Djibouti. ... MORE

Air Force 1st Lt. Joshua Selby will be the Bilateral Affairs Officer in Ecuador responsible for planning and executing future subject matter expert exchanges, key leader engagements, and exercises between both the Kentucky State Partnership Program, US SOUTHCOM, and all branches of the Ecuadorian military

Ecuadorian Army’s demining effort gets new, updated equipment
April 11, 2022 — Ecuadorian civil engineers recently welcomed a team of Air National Guard, active duty Air Force and civilian personnel from U.S. Southern Command to observe, train and equip a battalion of demining soldiers... MORE

Col. Jaime Gómez (left), U.S. Senior Defense Official, and Brig. Gen. Edwin Adatty (right), Commander, Ecuadorian Army Corps of Engineers, sign equipment transfer documents at a ceremony held on Feb. 25, 2022, in Sangolquí, Ecuador. The equipment, from U.S. Southern Command, will be used to help clear the last remaining part of the country's southern border so it can be returned to the local population for farming and other activities. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Allison Stephens)

Kentucky Guard Engineers conduct Djibouti State Partnership training
September 8, 2021 — For over 25 years, through SPP, the National Guard has conducted military-to-military engagements in support of defense security goals, and leverages whole-of-society relationships and capabilities to facilitate broader interagency and corollary engagements; spanning military, government, and economic and social spheres. Kentucky maintains state partnerships with Djibouti and Ecuador... MORE

International Life During COVID-19
May 4, 2020 — The Kentucky National Guard intends to maintain close contact with Djibouti and Ecuador to build upon their strategic relationship during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Both our partners in the State Partnership Program (SPP) have been fighting the same virus. This has truly been a global pandemic... MORE

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