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  • Michigan Guard, Latvia Commemorate Latvia’s Independence

    RIGA, Latvia – Latvia marked its 106th Independence Day Nov. 18 with a heartfelt celebration, uniting military personnel, dignitaries and citizens in a display of national pride and unity. The event brought together more than 1,500 military personnel from over 12 allied nations.The Michigan National

  • Michigan Guard, Sierra Leone Establish State Partnership

    FREETOWN, Sierra Leone - “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” the adage goes. However, since the announcement in May that Sierra Leone would partner with the Michigan National Guard, there have been many first impressions between leaders across these organizations, leading to

  • Michigan Guard, Latvia Collaborate on Airfield Capabilities

    LIELFVARDE, Latvia - Airmen from the Michigan Air National Guard are on a critical mission in Latvia during the first two weeks of June, collaborating to bolster the capabilities of Lielvarde Airfield to manage military training airspace and defend against potential threats. The joint initiative

  • Sierra Leone to Partner with Michigan National Guard, Liberia

    LANSING, Mich. - The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) is joining the State Partnership Program as an additional member of the existing partnership between the Michigan National Guard and the Armed Forces of Liberia.Michigan and Liberia have been partners under the SPP since 2009.“This

  • Ohio’s 123rd Air Control Squadron Trains with NATO Allies

    BLUE ASH, Ohio - Airmen assigned to the 178th Wing’s 123rd Air Control Squadron hosted a two-week combined training exercise with eight service members from NATO allies Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Hungary.The training, which included air battle management, ground control intercept, large-force

  • Senate Recognizes 30-year State Partnership Program

    WASHINGTON - After a summer marked by anniversary celebrations, the U.S. Senate formally recognized 30 years of the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program Sept. 27.In a room crowded with Guard leaders, Senate staff members and foreign counterparts, the Senate National

  • ‘During Soviet Occupations, Latvia Has Felt All the Consequences’

    NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland – On Nov. 15, 1992 – the day Air Force Lt. Gen. John Conaway touched down in Riga, Latvia, hoping to establish partnerships between National Guard elements and nations newly freed in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Bloc – Ināra Mūrniece was 21-years-old.Twice,

  • Michigan Airmen Practice Combat Turns in Latvia

    LIELVāRDE AIR BASE, Latvia - Over four days, approximately 30 Michigan Air National Guard Airmen traveled from Michigan to Germany and then Latvia, practicing deploying for future fights.Simulating a deployment to a contingency location, the 127th Wing’s Agile Combat Employment team practiced

  • Latvia Honors Michigan Guard Partnership with Postage Stamp

    RIGA, Latvia - A national postage stamp was unveiled May 3 by Latvia Post, honoring the 30th anniversary of Latvia’s defense cooperation with the Michigan National Guard under the State Partnership Program.The stamp, which features the image of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, was unveiled during

  • Michigan National Guard, Latvia Celebrate Partnership

    LANSING, Mich. - For nearly 30 years, the Michigan National Guard and the National Armed Forces of Latvia have collaborated under the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.  On July 1, Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš visited with Michigan Guard leaders for the