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(DAKAR, Senegal) — Strengthening key land forces relationships in West Africa and setting the stage for major events in 2023 was on the docket when the commanding general and command sergeant major of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa visited Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal Aug. 5-9, 2022.

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa provides U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe & Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis response options in Africa and Europe.

“Our work is in Africa,” said SETAF-AF Commander Maj. Gen. Todd Wasmund. “We are forward-based in Italy, but to do our job—we have to meet our partners where they are and understand our shared priorities from their perspective.”

In the capital of Ghana, Wasmund and Command Sgt. Maj. Reese Teakell met with Ghana Armed Forces Chief of Army Staff Maj. Gen. Thomas Oppong-Peprah and his staff to discuss the security situation in West Africa, build on existing cooperation activities and set conditions for Ghana to host a portion of the African Lion exercise again in 2023.

African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest and premier combined, joint exercise. Last year’s Africa Lion took place across North and West Africa in Ghana, Senegal, Morocco and Tunisia with over 7,500 participants from 28 nations.

“Maj. Gen. Oppong-Peprah invited us to visit Ghana during the Association of the U.S. Army conference in Washington, DC in September,” said Wasmund. “This trip was an excellent opportunity to deepen relationships between our armies. Ghana is a regional security leader and it is evident why after getting to spend time with our friends at the Ghana Armed Forces.”

In Cote d’Ivoire, Chief of the Army Staff Maj. Gen. Aly Dem discussed preparation with Wasmund for the upcoming African Land Forces Summit in the spring of 2023. ALFS brings together land forces chiefs from across Africa and other partner nations to discuss and identify solutions to transregional and common challenges, and encourage cooperation in addressing them.

“We’re thrilled that Cote d’Ivoire will host the African Land Forces Summit this spring in Abidjan,” said Wasmund. “Maj. Gen. Dem and his staff have been great partners in the planning process, ensuring that ALFS will be a tremendous success.”

Wasmund then met with Senegalese Army Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Souleymane Kande and his staff during in Dakar. In addition to discussing ongoing partnership and Senegal’s hosting role in the upcoming African Lion, the Senegalese Armed Forces hosted Wasmund for a roundtable discussion with War College students at the recently-opened Senegal Institute of Defense alongside the institute’s director Brig. Gen. Koly Faye.

“The level of strategic discussion amongst the students was impressive,” said Wasmund. “They have a deep understanding of the complex security challenges facing West Africa. Their thought-provoking questions explored how the military and other instruments of national power, together with partners, can be employed to achieve peace, stability and prosperity in the region.”

Kande affirmed the enduring partnership between the U.S. and Senegalese armies to accomplish mutual objectives and contributes to the success of the SAF as a regional leader for security and peacekeeping operations.

In Ghana and Senegal, Wasmund and Teakell met with U.S. Army advisors from the 2nd Security Forces Assistance Brigade and discussed current and future training support from the SFAB to their respective host nations. Teakell also traveled to visit SFAB Soldiers in Senegal.

“The SFAB provides our command and the embassy team a highly flexible package that can adapt to our partner’s needs,” said Teakell. “The subject-matter experts from the SFAB can adapt in real-time and if needed, reach back to wider Army resources to tailor training to what the partner needs.”

For more information on U.S. Army activities in Africa, go to www.setaf-africa.army.mil.

From a snack shack to compliment the installation’s swimming complex, to a full-size concession kitchen serving lunch Monday through Thursday, Pine Bluff Arsenal’s Cool Breezes has come a long way from its humble beginnings.

“Cool Breezes opened in 2010. This was when they expanded the pool area. The menu was simple and the building was much smaller,” said Billy Ray Ashcraft, Recreation Services chief with the Directorate of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

Cool Breezes, when it opened, had one ledge in a space the size of a little trailer, said Stephen Kelly, a recreation aid with MWR. “We had two little mini fryers and one area with a little heat lamp, and a heavy duty microwave to cook hamburgers in,” he said. “The main focus then was selling to the kids and others who came to the pool during the summers.”

When the splash pad was built around 2011, the Cool Breezes building was renovated and expanded. The menu has evolved over the years. At one point, a summer/winter menu was in place with soups and ice cream. Breakfast was even served at one point. Two staples that have always been on the menu are burgers and salads.

In 2020, like most MWR programs on PBA, COVID shut everything down. When MWR was able to reopen Cool Breezes, Kelley became the cook. “It was the process of elimination,” he said, laughing. “I drew the shortest straw.”

Cassie Scholes moved from PBA’s Child and Youth Services over to Recreation Services in April 2021, and began working the ordering window for Cool Breezes. “People will ask who is cooking on a daily basis,” she said. “When Stephen started cooking, people really started ordering all the time, and really liked the food. He has thrived in the position and is doing amazing.”

Now with the addition of Brent Webber, an operations clerk with Recreation Services, the customer service and menu at Cool Breezes has changed even further—and has brought a lot of success to the lunch spot. Webber joined the team in January.

Every morning Webber sends out a post-wide email with the special for the day. These have been everything from a plate lunch to a sandwich or special burger with choice of fries and drink for a price comparable to food offered outside the gate.

“Brent brings a wealth of cooking experience. Having him and Stephen both in there has been great. Stephen is thriving and Brent just adds onto that,” said Ashcraft.

On the day of the interview with the Cool Breezes team, Ashcraft said they had approximately 60 customers in an hour and a half span. “No one really had to wait because they got it going on,” he said. “Most call in their orders but we still get a lot of window orders. The daily specials have been a big hit.”

Ashcraft said the method of payment with a new credit card machine has also made a big difference. “It is faster than our old one. This had been a problem in the past,” he said.

The addition of new ingredients has been a game changer for the lunch spot. “We brought in real bacon for bacon cheeseburgers. We took a leap of faith and it has paid off,” said Webber. “Any leftovers we have get chopped up and added to the salads.”

Other items that have been a hit are the hot ham and cheese sandwiches, Philly cheese steak sandwiches, burgers, wraps and grilled cheese. “Real butter is the key to the grilled cheese,” said Kelley.

Having someone to take the time and research the product has made all the difference, said Ashcraft. “Brent has taken on this task and he is great! He finds the best product at the best price and this has made a huge difference,” he said. “The team also has fun while there are working and it shows.”

Another member of the team is “the salad maker” Branson Lockhart. “Scholes said he tries to make them the prettiest salads anyone has ever seen. “He about had a heart attacks one time when I bumped one and knocked some of the items loose,” she said laughing. “We all support each other and the business is showing this. The willingness everyone has to take suggestions and run with them is just awesome.”

“Branson takes his time and does it right,” said Ashcraft. “The entire team is dedicated to doing their best – giving the best customer service – and it definitely shows in the final product as well as the support from the Workforce.”

MWR Director Missy Brodnax said she is very proud of the Cool Breezes team.

“It started as a small concession area and just expanded. During the winter months we normally see lower usage, however, the consistency, quality product and excellent customer service has seen sales double this season,” she said. “We have also added weather curtains to protect our customers from cold, wind and rain. Future projects include an upgrade of the HVAC system as preparation for another Cool Breezes expansion. We thank everyone for their support!”

BREMERTON, Wash. – Service members and community members placed more than 600 wreaths at the base of veteran headstones in recognition of the annual Wreaths Across America Day at Ivy Green Cemetery in Bremerton, Washington, Dec. 17, 2022.

Each December, Wreaths Across America’s mission is to remember our fallen U.S. veterans, honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as more than 3,700 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.

“We are gathered here today at this cemetery and at other cemeteries all across America and around the world to remember that we are one nation with one flag,” said Master of Ceremonies Mick Hersey, a retired Navy senior chief petty officer. “The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price. We thank those who gave their lives to keep us free and we shall not forget you.”

A veteran’s wreath symbolizes our honor to those who have served, are serving in the armed forces and to their families who endure sacrifices every day on our behalf. Each of the 10 balsam bouquets that comprise a veteran’s wreath also symbolize 10 special qualities that our veterans embody. Their belief in a greater good, love for each other, strength, honesty, humility, ambitions, optimism for America, concern for the future, pride in their duties, and hopes and dreams that didn’t always come true but left them with no regrets.

“Remember, we are not here today to ‘decorate graves’,” said Hersey. “We are here to remember not their deaths, but their lives. Each wreath is a gift of appreciation, from all of us, a grateful America.”

During the ceremony, a service member from each branch of the U.S. armed forces carried a wreath, decorated with a red bow, to the cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier monument, and rendered a salute. Afterward, wreaths were placed at the headstones of veterans buried across the cemetery.

“I think it’s important that we show appreciation for those who came before us,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Anthony Johnson, Naval Medicine Readiness Training Command. “To be honest, I truly loved the ceremony. It’s only right that we pay respect back to them.”

Ivy Green Cemetery has a large military section, honoring fallen men and women of all services. Of the approximate 4,000 gravesites in Ivy Green Cemetery, more than 600 are veterans. This year marks the 11th year that Ivy Green Cemetery has participated in Wreaths Across America.

Yokota volunteers brought holiday spirit to local unaccompanied U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Airmen Dec. 11 and 12, 2022, with cookie donations from the community, in an event aptly titled the “Cookie Crunch.”

During the winter months, Airmen stationed overseas may experience the holidays away from friends and family – many for the first time in their lives. The Yokota community developed a way to lift their spirits by distributing thousands of baked cookies.

Multiple people from the community, including the Yokota Spouse’s Club, United Service Organizations, Yokota High School, Base Chapel, Yokota Commissary, and teams of volunteers, came together to make the event happen.

“It’s essential that we’re able to come together as a community to support our Airmen at Yokota Air Base,” said Col. Andrew Roddan, 374th Airlift Wing commander. “Thanks to the amazing members of the Yokota community coming together for a common cause to give back to our hard-working Airmen. These events not only support our U.S. service members but our Japanese Allies who we live and work with every day.”

The Team Yokota Cookie Crunch originated in 2005 and grew into an annual community event with hundreds of participants helping make thousands of cookies. This year, contributions from the community totaled more than 7,000 cookies.

“There’s easily over 100 volunteers that contribute to the Yokota Cookie Crunch, from community members like those at the commissary to Department of Defense Education Activity Schools who helped assemble bags and make cards to all of the community members who baked, bagged and distributed those cookies,” said Stephanie Miller, USO field program manager.

The USO and Yokota schools also contributed holiday cards filled with well-wishes and kind words with each cookie delivery.

“When the Yokota community can come together to support our unaccompanied service members, our goal is to help these Airmen feel a little closer to home,” Miller said. “We want to make sure they know how much we appreciate them.”

Railcars that were loaded by Soldiers with the Army Reserve’s 411th Engineer Company load railcars with military vehicles and equipment are shown Nov. 14, 2022, at the rail yard at Fort McCoy, Wis.

Overall, the company loaded 128 items on to railcars over the multi-day rail movement at the installation to deploy the equipment eventually to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

Five personnel with the Fort McCoy Logistics Readiness Center (LRC) assisted with the rail movement and its coordination. The 411th is the latest of many units over the last decade to hold rail movements at Fort McCoy.

As a matter of fact, for the many decades of Fort McCoy’s existence, the capability to transport cargo and equipment to and from the installation by rail has always been there. And it’s a capability that will continue, Fort McCoy LRC officials said.

During World War II, for example, the railroad at Fort McCoy was one of the main forms of transportation for bringing troops in for training and home after the war as well as for moving cargo and equipment in and out of the installation.

The 411th is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Fort McCoy was established in 1909 and its motto is to be the “Total Force Training Center.” Located in the heart of the upper Midwest, Fort McCoy is the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin.

The installation has provided support and facilities for the field and classroom training of more than 100,000 military personnel from all services nearly every year since 1984.

Learn more about Fort McCoy online at https://home.army.mil/mccoy, on the Defense Visual Information Distribution System at https://www.dvidshub.net/fmpao, on Facebook by searching “ftmccoy,” and on Twitter by searching “usagmccoy.”

Also try downloading the Digital Garrison app to your smartphone and set “Fort McCoy” or another installation as your preferred base.

In mid-November 2022, Conservation Law-enforcement Officer Jesse Haney with the Fort McCoy Directorate of Emergency Services Police Department spent a morning teaching installation workforce members the importance of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) safety.

Haney, a certified ATV safety instructor, went over all the safety aspects built into ATVs with his students during the training. He also specified the types of equipment drivers should wear when operating the equipment, and much more.

“Having the knowledge operate these machines correctly can prevent mishaps and accidents,” Haney said during the training.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), they also urge all consumers using ATVs “to understand the risks and necessary safety measures of ATVs before riding them.” The CSPC also refers to ATVs as “OHVs,” or off-highway vehicles.

The dangers of riding OHVs are real and include overturning, collisions, and occupant ejection,” the CSPC states at their website at https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/ATV-Safety-Information-Center. “CPSC’s latest data show an annual average of more than 700 deaths and an estimated 100,000 emergency department-treated injuries involving OHVs. According to CPSC’s latest report, from 2016 through 2018, there were 2,211 deaths in the United States associated with OHVs, which includes all-terrain vehicles, recreational off-highway vehicles, and utility-terrain vehicles. ATVs accounted for nearly three-quarters of the deaths. Nearly 300 deaths were among children under the age of 16.”

The website also states that the CPSC estimates that 112,300 injuries, associated with OHVs, were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments in 2020.

“Over five years, ATVs were the vehicle involved in 96 percent of the OHV injuries,” the website states.

Safe riding tips from the CPSC’s website include:

— Getting hands-on training from a qualified instructor in an ATV Safety Institute course, much like one that Haney was teaching to the Fort McCoy workforce members.

— Never ride with more passengers than there are seats. Most ATVs are designed for one rider.

— Never ride on public roads, except to cross, where permitted by law.

— Avoid drinking alcohol before or while driving an ATV, because alcohol can impair judgment and response time.

— Stay off paved roads.

— Riders younger than 16 should drive only age-appropriate youth models, and never adult models.

— Always wear a helmet and other protective gear, such as eye protection, boots, gloves, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt.

In a story from the Army Safety Center’s Risk Management Magazine from September 2019, one writer, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Patrick Magill wrote an article about ATV safety called “The Last Ride” that recalled a harrowing experience he went through in witnessing an ATV accident in New Mexico. His last line of the article might have been his best piece of advice.

“Before participating in any off-roading activities, make sure you have the proper training and personal protective equipment. Without it, your next ride could be your last.”

See more about Magill’s article at https://safety.army.mil/MEDIA/Risk-Management-Magazine/ArtMID/7428/ArticleID/6442. See more about Army Safey by visiting https://safety.army.mil. And learn more about your installation ATV safety programs by visiting with your local safety representatives.

Learn more about Fort McCoy online at https://home.army.mil/mccoy, on the Defense Visual Information Distribution System at https://www.dvidshub.net/fmpao, on Facebook by searching “ftmccoy,” and on Twitter by searching “usagmccoy.”

Also try downloading the Digital Garrison app to your smartphone and set “Fort McCoy” or another installation as your preferred base.

Generations of North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) Soldiers and Airmen returned to the NCNG Joint Force Headquarters for the 2022 Tarheel Homecoming in Raleigh, North Carolina, Dec. 9, 2022.

Civilian vendors, NCNG staff, and veteran service organizations helped the guests learn more about veteran services and benefits.

“It is great so many organizations are here, it really makes it worthwhile for the veterans to attend,” said Andrea Allard, director of transition services North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

The North Carolina National Guard Association also hosted a luncheon welcoming the Korean War Era, Vietnam War, the Cold War, numerous post-Cold War deployments, the Gulf War, and the Global War on Terror veterans.

There was a constant chatter of old friendships reunited and stories told and retold. Hugs, handshakes, smiles, laughter, and a tear or two met many of the participants as they walked along the headquarters’ atrium.

“It is a chance to catch up,” said Army Maj. Gen. Todd Hunt, the Adjutant General of the North Carolina National Guard.

The guests were later invited to the auditorium for a briefing from senior NCNG leaders on North Carolina Army and Air Guard Operations statewide, nationally, and internationally.

It opened with the playing of the national anthem and veterans with service beginning as far back as 1947 stood or saluted.

Briefings and video presentations emphasized the nature of the NCNG as a military operational reserve using the most up-to-date equipment and training. Also, as a critical component of State disaster response, real-world cyber threats, and other state missions.

“Our focus is warfighting and protecting the state,” said Hunt.

The briefing’s goal was twofold: to highlight the Guard’s successes and to inform the retirees and former Soldiers and Airmen so they can share the information in their communities where they are leaders.

“It helps when you (veterans) go out into the community and help recruit Soldiers and Airmen,” said Hunt.

There was a break to cut a birthday cake in honor of the National Guard founding on December 13, 1636, with the two oldest veterans in attendance joining the youngest Soldier serving at the headquarters cutting the cake with an Army ceremonial sword.

Throughout the day, members of the NCNG Museum staff encouraged the veterans to volunteer at the museum or tell their story for history.

“I got to see more women earn higher rank (over her 30-year military career),” said retired Army Staff Sgt. Doris Williams, a Desert Storm veteran with the NCNG’s Rear Area Operations Support Center.

The event ended with a tour of the future NCNG museum, dedicated earlier this year.

“I learned more Guard history from them (museum staff) than I did in my career,” said retired chaplain Army Maj. Melissa Culbreth, an Iraq War veteran and volunteer at the museum.

The NCNG in 2022 deployed multiple units for federal missions in Europe, the Middle East, and Antarctica, and provided on state orders for 560 Soldiers and Airmen for 9,355 man-days of State Active Duty.

REDMOND, Ore.- Oregon Youth Challenge Program (OYCP) graduated 131 cadets from their 22-week program at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. OYCP is The Oregon National Guard’s alternative high school, located in Bend, Oregon; it gives at-risk students a second chance to catch up on credits. In addition, the program allows attendees to re-enter high school, graduate on time with their peers, or graduate from OYCP with a state-accredited high school diploma.

OYCP Director Mr. Daniel Radabaug said, “We want to help students get back on track to be productive citizens for the State of Oregon. OYCP is free to attend for any Oregonian that qualifies; cadets live here at no cost during the 22 weeks while they catch up and learn valuable life skills.”

In 1999, the Oregon National Guard established the OYCP in Bend, Oregon, as an intervention program to reclaim the lives of Oregon teens who had dropped out of high school or were not on track to graduate. “At-risk” refers to the risk of not graduating high school. To help at-risk students, the Department of Defense invested in the OYCP style challenge model for youth development and community outreach.

OYCP graduation guest speaker Oregon National Guard Assistant Adjutant General Brig. In his speech at the event, Gen. Eric J. Riley said, “You are the future leaders of our communities…we believe there is no better program or alternative school to meet the needs of our students who might otherwise drop through the cracks.”

The stated mission of OYCP is: To provide opportunities for personal growth, self-improvement, and academic achievement among Oregon high school dropouts, teens no longer attending, and those failing in school through a highly structured non-traditional environment, integrating training, mentoring, and diverse educational activities.

OYCP attendees must be 15 to 18 years old, a legal United States and Oregon resident, and academically deficient (behind in high school credits) or in danger of not graduating high school. OYCP can be contacted through their website, https://www.oycp.com, or by calling 541-317-9623.

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U.S. 5th Fleet concluded Digital Horizon, Dec. 15, a three-week unmanned and artificial intelligence event in Bahrain that involved 17 industry partners.

The event included 15 advanced systems, 10 of which operated in the Middle East for the first time. Task Force 59 led industry partners during phased evolutions ashore and at sea to advance fleet efforts that will enhance regional maritime awareness.

“The pace of innovation throughout Digital Horizon was unbelievable,” said Capt. Michael Brasseur, commander of Task Force 59. “We pushed beyond technological boundaries and discovered new capabilities for maritime domain awareness to enhance our ability to see above, on and below the water.”

During Digital Horizon, Task Force 59 leveraged artificial intelligence to create an interface on one screen, also called a “single pane of glass.” The screen displayed relevant data from multiple unmanned systems for watchstanders in Task Force 59’s Robotics Operations Center.

The task force also launched an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145), marking the first time Task Force 59 operated a UAV from a U.S. Coast Guard cutter. The launch also enhanced Task Force 59’s ability to create a mesh network for unmanned systems to relay imagery to command centers ashore and at sea in a communications denied environment.

“It has been an incredible opportunity to work with new systems and new partners to drive the innovation process forward for the U.S. Navy,” said Lt. Jay Faylo, the task force’s director of artificial intelligence.

Over the past year, Task Force 59 has operated unmanned surface vessels in regional waters for more than 25,000 hours, which equates to 12 years of nine-to-five testing five days a week.

NAVCENT is headquartered in Manama, Bahrain and includes maritime forces operating in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Bab al-Mandeb.

The West Virginia National Guard’s Ridge Runner Irregular Warfare program hosted an initial exercise planning conference Dec. 5-7, 2022, at Camp Dawson with participants from nine organizations representing U.S. Army special operations forces, psychological operations, civil affairs, U.S. Marine Corps Advisor Company A, and the Polish Territorial Defense Forces.

Ridge Runner is a West Virginia Army National Guard training program that provides various National Guard, active duty, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allied nation’s armed forces training and experience in irregular and asymmetrical warfare tactics and operations.

In June 2023, Ridge Runner will be hosting its first validation exercise for 5th Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group. The goal of the exercise will be to provide U.S. Special Operations Command with the premier Irregular Warfare Training Center capable of simulating the most complex special warfare multi-domain environments to exercise and validate special operations forces and to support joint force commanders worldwide.

Partner nation forces from across Europe will participate and train alongside the 5-19th SFG during the exercise, which will be held throughout West Virginia.

“This is my first experience with Ridge Runner and the same for our company,” stated U.S. Army Master Sgt. Cody (name withheld for privacy purposes). “Our battalion commander has outlined key tasks that he wants us to accomplish, especially in the irregular warfare realm and getting that foundation for operating with partner nations that we will see downrange is key. We don’t get a lot of opportunities to train with our partners stateside unless we are participating in a collective training. This is my first time dealing with a non-Combat Training Center exercise that has a lot of resources and it’s great to see the relationships being built at this level that will grow into a product that will be beneficial to what we need [during deployment]. It’s truly invaluable to us.”

During the planning conference, attendees refined scenarios, scope, logistics, timelines and training lanes to meet key objectives for the 5-19th SFG and partner nations who will be participating in the exercise.

According to West Virginia National Guard Sergeant Major Jason Smith, deputy director of the Ridge Runner program, West Virginia is the perfect location for training exercises of this type.

“West Virginia is an almost mirror image to the overall terrain and climate throughout Eastern Europe,” he stated. “Hosting the Ridge Runner program here makes perfect sense, allowing U.S. troops the opportunity to operate together with our allies and share in their expertise in as close an environment as possible to our real-world missions. Providing this type of experience prior to deployments will be invaluable moving forward, allowing our operators to validate their training and giving them the very best opportunities to be successful while in theatre.”

Along with various U.S. military participation, members of the Polish Territorial Defense Forces (POL TDF), or Wojska Obrony Terytorialnej (WOT), traveled to West Virginia to participate in the planning with the purpose of having an element of the POL TDF take part in the June 2023 exercise.

“This has been one of the best relationships the POL TDF has ever established with a partner nation,” stated 2nd Lt. Marek Zaluski, executive officer for the POL TDF. “We did not know coming here in 2019 [for Ridge Runner] and building this relationship how real life would verify it. Here we are 10 months into the invasion of our neighbor (Ukraine), and we are getting ready to prevent such things from happening within the NATO territories. We are grateful and proud to be working with the West Virginia National Guard, the 19th SFG and the entire National Guard and U.S. armed forces family on such an important endeavor.”

The PTDF took part in exercise Ridge Runner in 2019 alongside the Latvian Zemmessardze where each nation’s Soldiers learned irregular and unconventional warfare tactics from West Virginia’s 2nd Battalion, 19th SFG (Airborne).

Partner nation participation in the Ridge Runner program is coordinated through the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program, which links states and territories with partner countries around the world to foster mutual interests, establish long-term relations, enhance U.S. national security interests, and promote political stability.

Additional planning conferences will be held in the coming months to finalize all aspects of the exercise prior to April 2023.

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