Ohio National Guard State Partnership Program

2011

Ohio adjutant general visits Serbia

Serbia (09/12/11) — Maj. Gen. Deborah A. Ashenhurst, Ohio adjutant general, and a delegation from Ohio visit Serbia in September 2011 as part of the ongoing National Guard State Partnership Program, promoting and coordinating activities between Serbia and Ohio. ~ READ STORY

2012

Serbians Observe the Homeland Response Force

Members of the Serbian Armed Forces visit Ohio to observe the National Guard’s Homeland Response Force in action.

Ohio National Guard leaders host Serbian defense minister

COLUMBUS, Ohio (12/12/12) — Maj. Gen. Deborah A. Ashenhurst, Ohio adjutant general, and other Ohio National Guard leaders recently hosted a delegation from the Serbian Ministry of Defense, including Aleksandar Vučić, first deputy prime minister of Serbia. ~ READ STORY

ONG engineers work with Serbian Armed Forces on school reconstruction project

KRALJEVO, Serbia (08/16/2012) — More than 30 Ohio National Guard members worked alongside their counterparts in the Serbian 2nd Army Brigade to repair the Svetozar Markovic Primary School in Kraljevo, Serbia, which was damaged by an earthquake in late 2010. ~ READ STORY

School gym ribbon-cutting, air show highlight adjutant general’s visit to Serbia

Serbia (09/25/12) — Maj. Gen. Deborah A. Ashenhurst, Ohio adjutant general, and a delegation from Ohio visited Serbia in September 2012. The visit included participation in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a school gym renovation project that more than 30 Ohio National Guard engineers helped complete while working alongside their Serbian counterparts, as well as participation in the “Batajnica 2012” Air Show, highlighting 100 years of Serbian military aviation. ~ READ STORY

2014

Ohio National Guard takes part in Platinum Wolf 2014

BUJANOVAC, Serbia (07/01/14) — Five Soldiers from the Ohio National Guard traveled halfway across the world in late June to Serbia to participate in exercise Platinum Wolf 2014, a multinational peacekeeping operations exercise. ~ READ STORY

Strengthening the Ohio-Serbia partnership

BELGRADE, Serbia (07/23/14) — Maj. Gen. Deborah A. Ashenhurst, Ohio adjutant general, joined Gen. Frank J. Grass, chief, National Guard Bureau, and U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Michael Kirby for meetings July 23, 2014, in Belgrade, Serbia, to discuss the State Partnership Program relationship between the Ohio National Guard and Serbia. ~ READ STORY

Serbian pilots partner with 1st Battalion, 137th Aviation Regiment crew

(08/21/10) — Four pilots from the Serbian Armed Forces trained with the 1st Battalion, 137th Aviation Regiment during its annual training period and learned about the night vision capabilities of Ohio’s aviators. ~ READ STORY

2015

Life of Ohio National Guard bilateral affairs officer a unique experience

BELGRADE, Serbia (09/22/15) — The bilateral affairs officer (BAO) is a three-year temporary Active Guard/Reserve position, which serves as a full-time liaison between the Ohio National Guard and the Republic of Serbia. The BAO position is a broadening assignment, offering a learning opportunity to see how government works, how the military interacts with the media, and how a U.S. Embassy functions. ~ READ STORY

Ohio Soldiers observe Exercise Neighbors 2015

DEBRECEN, Hungary (09/24/15) — Soldiers from the Ohio National Guard visited Hungary to observe infantry units from the Serbian Land Forces and Hungarian military that participated in Exercise Neighbors 2015. ~ READ STORY

2016

U.S.-Serbia Relations: Progress through Partnership

(08/16/16) — Vice President Joe Biden visited Belgrade, Serbia on Aug. 16 to celebrate and reaffirm the United States’ strong bilateral relationship with Serbia, its continued commitment to Serbia’s democratic and economic development, and their shared goal of European Union membership for Serbia ~ . READ STORY

Adjutant general makes official visit to Serbia, marks 10th anniversary Partnership

BELGRADE, Serbia (09/05/16) — Maj. Gen. Mark E. Bartman, Ohio adjutant general, made an official visit here in September to mark the 10th anniversary of the Ohio National Guard’s State Partnership Program pairing with the Serbian Armed Forces. Ohio’s partnership with the Republic of Serbia has included numerous military, socio-political and economic exchanges over the past decade, in the interests of promoting European regional stability and civil-military relationships. ~ READ STORY

Combined medical engagement partners ONG, Serbia,
Angola to help citizens in rural Serbia

COLUMBUS, Ohio (09/21/2016) — Ohio National Guard medical personnel worked with members of the Serbian Armed Forces in a Combined Medical Engagement Sept. 4-17 in various locations throughout southeast Serbia. ~ READ STORY

Serbian ambassador, military officials visit to celebrate 10th anniversary of State Partnership Program pairing with Ohio National Guard

COLUMBUS, Oh. (10/30/16) — Maj. Gen. Mark E. Bartman, Ohio adjutant general, hosted Lt. Gen. Jovica Draganić, Serbian Armed Forces deputy chief of general staff, and Djerdj Matkovic, Serbian Ambassador to the United States, for an official visit as part of the National Guard State Partnership Program. The Oct. 24-30 visit included events in Washington, D.C. and Columbus to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the SPP pairing of Ohio and the Republic of Serbia. READ STORY

2017

Historic PAMBALA 2017 is underway:
Ohio works with State Partner Serbia, Angola during trilateral medical exercise

LUANDA, Angola (12/08/17) — Airmen and Soldiers of the Ohio National Guard and Serbian Armed Forces arrived here Dec. 8 for PAMBALA 2017, a two-phase trilateral medical engagement, and the welcome, not to mention the weather, couldn’t be warmer. ~ READ STORY

Historic PAMBALA 2017 draws to a close:
Ohio, Serbia work with Republic of Angola during trilateral medical engagement

BENGO PROVINCE, Angola (12/14/17) — During the PAMBALA 2017 exercise closing ceremony and VIP day, senior military leaders from Serbia and the United States exchanged flags with the host nation, the Republic of Angola, as a sign of the gratitude for the hospitality and friendships created with the Angolan Armed Forces over the two-week event. ~ . READ STORY

Planning underway for Combined Medical Engagement in Angola with Ohio, Serbia

COLUMBUS, Ohio (06/28/17) — Representatives of the Serbian and Angolan Armed Forces met with members of the Ohio National Guard in late June to discuss plans for an upcoming Combined Medical Engagement set to take place in Angola later this year. More than 20 planners from all three countries gathered for a week to work through the details for the upcoming event.. ~ READ STORY

Ohio National Guard works with Serbian partners during Cyber Tesla 2017 exercise

COLUMBUS, Ohio (09/14/17) — Members of the Ohio National Guard and Serbian Armed Forces joined together to carry out the second annual Cyber Tesla exercise Sept. 11-14 at two locations — in Ohio and Serbia. ~ READ STORY

Ohio works with SPP partners, other countries during PLATINUM WOLF 17

SOUTH BASE, Serbia (2017) — Soliders from multiple Ohio Army National Guard units boarded planes this summer to attend Platinum Wolf 2018, a two-week, multinational event focused on peacekeeping operations, hosted by one of Ohio’s State Partnership Program partner countries. ~ READ STORY

CLS training affords look at different countries medical
Two sets of guard siblings reconnect during unlikely overseas visit
Ohio Soldiers, Serbians learn non-lethal weapons tactics ~ READ STORY

2018

PAMBALA forges new friendships, provides hope for future

BENGO PROVINCE, Angola (01/04/18) — It was Henry Ford who once said, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” It was that spirit that abounded at PAMBALA 2017, which took place Dec. 4-15. ~ READ STORY

Ohio National Guard continues building partnerships at Platinum Wolf 2018

SOUTH BASE, Serbia (06/11/18) — Nearly 45 members of the Ohio National Guard’s 838th Military Police Company arrived in the Republic of Serbia June 10 to participate in exercise Platinum Wolf.  ~ READ STORY

State Partnership grows spiritual relationships between Ohio and Serbia

VRANJE, Serbia (06/17/18) — It was an experience of a lifetime for the Rev. James Sizemore, an Ohio Army National Guard chaplain and lieutenant colonel, to participate in a Serbian Orthodox Divine Liturgy June 17 at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Vranje. ~ READ STORY

National Guard provides unimagined opportunities:
Soldier experiences first overseas deployment during Platinum Wolf 18

Military service is a tradition in her Family, so it was no surprise when Ohio Army National Guard Spc. Cheyanna Porter enlisted in the spring of 2015 and completed basic training during the summer between her junior and senior year of high school. ~ READ STORY

Platinum Wolf 18 offers multitude of opportunities to train, forge relationships

BOROVAC TRAINING AREA/SOUTH BASE, Serbia — Platinum Wolf 18 is a two-week multinational peacekeeping exercise that has brought more than 500 soldiers from 10 nations together to enhance military cooperation and interoperability, June 11-22. ~ READ STORY

Platinum Wolf 2018: Nonlethal weapons training

Members of the Ohio National Guard's 838th Military Police Company train participating member nations' soldiers in the use of the M26 shotgun during nonlethal weapons training at Platinum Wolf 2018. ~ READ STORY

Platinum Wolf 2018: ONG MPs take part in marksmanship competition

Soldiers from the Ohio National Guard's 838th Military Police Company compete with soldiers from nine other nations during a marksmanship competition at Platinum Wolf 2018. Platinum Wolf 18 is a two-week multinational peacekeeping exercise that has brought more than 500 soldiers from 10 nations together to enhance military cooperation and interoperability, June 11-22, 2018. ~ READ STORY

Exercise Platinum Wolf 2018 enhances cultural and religious understanding

SOUTH BASE, Serbia (06.19.2018) — Exercise Platinum Wolf 2018 brought 10 nations and more than 500 soldiers from around the world to Serbia’s South Base and Borovac Training area to participate in a multinational peacekeeping exercise. As the nations came together for the two-week event, they each brought unique cultural and religious differences that could pose challenges to communication, cooperation and interoperability, but that was not the case for this year’s exercise. ~ READ STORY

Interoperability through Partnership: Ohio National Guard strengthens both during multinational peacekeeping exercise

SOUTH BASE, Serbia (06/22/18) — In uncertain times, with many challenges in the world, focusing on the strong bonds established with partner nations around the globe will not only increase strength in peacetime, but will also improve capabilities during times of conflict, when they arise. ~ READ STORY

Ohio National Guard continues building partnerships at Platinum Wolf 2018

SOUTH BASE, Serbia (06/11/18) — Nearly 45 members of the Ohio National Guard’s 838th Military Police Company arrived in the Republic of Serbia June 10 to participate in exercise Platinum Wolf.  ~ READ STORY

State Partnership grows spiritual relationships between Ohio and Serbia

VRANJE, Serbia (06/17/18) — It was an experience of a lifetime for the Rev. James Sizemore, an Ohio Army National Guard chaplain and lieutenant colonel, to participate in a Serbian Orthodox Divine Liturgy June 17 at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Vranje. ~ READ STORY

National Guard provides unimagined opportunities:
Soldier experiences first overseas deployment during Platinum Wolf 18

Military service is a tradition in her Family, so it was no surprise when Ohio Army National Guard Spc. Cheyanna Porter enlisted in the spring of 2015 and completed basic training during the summer between her junior and senior year of high school. ~ READ STORY

Platinum Wolf 18 offers multitude of opportunities to train, forge relationships

BOROVAC TRAINING AREA/SOUTH BASE, Serbia — Platinum Wolf 18 is a two-week multinational peacekeeping exercise that has brought more than 500 soldiers from 10 nations together to enhance military cooperation and interoperability, June 11-22. ~ READ STORY

Platinum Wolf 2018: Nonlethal weapons training

Members of the Ohio National Guard's 838th Military Police Company train participating member nations' soldiers in the use of the M26 shotgun during nonlethal weapons training at Platinum Wolf 2018. ~ READ STORY

Platinum Wolf 2018: ONG MPs take part in marksmanship competition

Soldiers from the Ohio National Guard's 838th Military Police Company compete with soldiers from nine other nations during a marksmanship competition at Platinum Wolf 2018. Platinum Wolf 18 is a two-week multinational peacekeeping exercise that has brought more than 500 soldiers from 10 nations together to enhance military cooperation and interoperability, June 11-22, 2018. ~ READ STORY

Exercise Platinum Wolf 2018 enhances cultural and religious understanding

SOUTH BASE, Serbia (06.19.2018) — Exercise Platinum Wolf 2018 brought 10 nations and more than 500 soldiers from around the world to Serbia’s South Base and Borovac Training area to participate in a multinational peacekeeping exercise. As the nations came together for the two-week event, they each brought unique cultural and religious differences that could pose challenges to communication, cooperation and interoperability, but that was not the case for this year’s exercise. ~ READ STORY

Interoperability through Partnership: Ohio National Guard strengthens both during multinational peacekeeping exercise

SOUTH BASE, Serbia (06/22/18) — In uncertain times, with many challenges in the world, focusing on the strong bonds established with partner nations around the globe will not only increase strength in peacetime, but will also improve capabilities during times of conflict, when they arise. ~ READ STORY

Ohio National Guard senior leaders arrive in Serbia for State Partnership CAPSTONE

BELGRADE, Serbia (09/03/18) — Around 40 Ohio National Guard members have arrived in the Republic of Serbia for CAPSTONE 2018, a product of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program that pairs states’ National Guards with nations around the world in mutually-beneficial relationships. ~ READ STORY

Ohio National Guard partnership with Serbia thriving after CAPSTONE 2018

BELGRADE, Serbia (09/10/18) — The Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program asks that each state and their partner nation has the ability to conduct a variety of joint exercises and training events to enhance interoperability and cooperation between partner and allied nations while building relationships. The Ohio National Guard and Serbian Armed Forces have shown commitment and dedication to that strategic initiative for 12 years and counting. ~ READ STORY

Hello Neighbors:
Annual exercise allows Ohio National Guard to integrate with Hungarian, Serbian State Partners

UJDOROGD, Hungary (09/20/18) — As the squads slowly moved forward into the village, the vicious chatter of machine gun fire erupted as they engaged enemy forces. Building by building, the teams painstakingly cleared each room; hand motions and short sharp commands are all the communication required. The enemy was routed, but not without injuries to the victors. Hobbling out, supported by two teammates, one soldier was assisted onto a helicopter, waiting to get the wounded to medical help. ~ READ STORY

SRBIJA 2018:
Multinational exercise shows that when disaster strikes, saving lives a universal language

MLADENOVAC, SERBIA (10/17/18) — Members of the Ohio National Guard participated in SRBIJA 2018 (Serbia 2018), a consequence management exercise that involved an earthquake scenario; a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear response; water rescue; and urban search and rescue, Oct. 8-11. ~ READ STORY

South Euclid, Ohio and Kraljevo, Serbia to connect through Sister Cities program

COLUMBUS, Ohio (09/05/18) — In a quickly globalizing world, interconnectedness has become easier and more fruitful. Over the last 12 years bonds between the Ohio National Guard and the Republic of Serbia have grown strong, a product of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, which pairs states’ National Guards with nations around the world in mutually beneficial relationships. ~ READ STORY

2019

Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia visits Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (01/28/2019) — Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr. (second from right), Ohio adjutant general, and Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić (second from left) display a gift Harris presented to Brnabić during an official Serbian delegation visit Jan. 28, 2019, to the Ohio National Guard Joint Force Headquarters located at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio. Also pictured are Serbian Ambassador to the U.S. Djerdj Matković (left) and Col. Dragan Galić (right), defense, military, naval and air attaché with the Serbian Embassy in the U.S. Brnabić led a Serbian delegation to Ohio to explore potential future agricultural and business exchanges, as well as meet with state government officials. ~READ STORY

Serbian chaplains visit Ohio to strengthen military, civil relationships

CLEVELAND (04/12/19) — Four members of the Serbian Armed Forces chaplain corps visited in April 2019 as part of the 13-year State Partnership Program pairing between the Ohio National Guard and Serbia. The chaplains visited the St. Sava Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church and Notre Dame College in Cleveland to interact with the ethnic Serbian community and strengthen military and civilian relationships between Serbia and Ohio. ~READ STORY

178th defender teaches self-defense to women in Serbia

SPRINGFIELD-BECKLEY AIR GUARD BASE, Ohio (05/30/19) — A member from the 178th Wing travelled to Vranje, Serbia to teach basic combative techniques and self-defense to women in the local area from March 2-9. Staff Sgt. Brittney Robertson, a defender assigned to the 178th Security Forces Squadron, was one of three military members selected to teach the self-defense course. All three of the military members chosen are female military police in the Ohio National Guard. ~READ STORY

Platinum Wolf 19 gets underway with opening ceremony

SOUTH BASE, Serbia (06/03/19) — About 500 Soldiers representing 10 countries assembled June 3, 2019, at South Base, Serbia for the Platinum Wolf 19 opening ceremony. The two-week multinational training exercise is taking place June 3-18, 2019, at South Base and the Borovac Training Area. ~READ STORY

Ohio, Serbia strengthen their 13-year partnership during CAPSTONE 2019

COLUMBUS, Ohio (10/11/2019) — Members of a visiting Ohio National Guard delegation stand for a photo with a group of Serbian Armed Forces members Sept. 12, 2019, at the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade, Serbia. The delegation met with staff members at the academy to discuss their capabilitie . ~READ STORY