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PHOENIX – A six-member delegation of Kazakhstan military officers toured Arizona Army National Guard facilities during a State Partnership Program-sponsored visit July 6 – 10.
The visit focused on providing a better understanding of National Guard unit training sites, recruiting processes and Soldier preparedness for a part-time defense force that the Kazakh government is in the process of implementing in their country. Visits to various AZNG units gave the delegation exposure to programs and equipment that Arizona uses to prepare its soldiers through regular drill training.
"Having the delegation visit us in Arizona helps their understanding of who we are and why we exist," said Army Maj. Kevin Budak, Arizona National Guard’s State Partnership Program coordinator. "Having this partnership for 23 years has allowed us to build the trust and mutual respect necessary to have open discussions. This visit was especially helpful in the development of their own form of a National Guard."
The State Partnership Program began in 1993 between the United States and the newly independent former soviet republics in coordination with the US European Command. Since then the program has grown significantly with approximately 70 partnerships worldwide.
The program matches a State’s National Guard with a partner country promoting an enduring and mutually beneficial security relationship between the matched organization of comparable size, focus and mission. Aside from the ideological exchange of military capabilities, the National Guard also provides mission support techniques related to disaster response, border, port and aviation security, and counter narcotics trafficking that is not experienced by the active duty component making the Guard the ideal choice for this program.
During the visit, the Kazakh delegation met with the Arizona National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion to understand the recruiting process and how the motivation to serve sustains the Guard’s all-volunteer force. Arizona National Guard leadership explained that although reasons may vary from soldier to soldier, a common thread throughout is the pride to serve the community and its citizens.
“Most of our members serve because of their sense of patriotism and willingness to protect their home, state and country,” said Army Brig. General John Hoefert, land component commander of the Arizona Army National Guard.
The Kazakh delegation concluded their visit by touring training facilities and ranges in Phoenix, Flagstaff and Florence, visiting the infrastructure that builds on the dedication and professionalism of the Arizona National Guard and its service members.
Later this month service members from the United Kingdom, Kazakhstan, and the Arizona National Guard will participate in Steppe Eagle 16, a multinational annual exercise focusing on peacekeeping and peace support operations hosted this year at the Stanford Training Area, U.K. A joint operations delegation from Arizona will also visit Kazakhstan later this year to further assist in the establishment of their territorial guard program.
| Date Taken: | 07.14.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.14.2016 16:07 |
| Story ID: | 203994 |
| Location: | PHOENIX, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 307 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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