Ohio National Guard News

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

Story and photos by Tech Sgt. Joseph Harwood, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

Serbian Armed Forces Col. Saša Milutinović (front row, from left) welcomes Col. James R. Camp, Ohio assistant adjutant general for Air; Brig. Gen. Kenneth E. Brandt, chief chaplain of the Army National Guard; and Col. Andrew Aquino, Ohio National Guard state chaplain, as Ohio National Guard members arrive in Belgrade, Serbia, Sept. 3, 2018. CAPSTONE 2018 is the annual culmination of the year's events to highlight the Serbia-Ohio National Guard pairing through the Department of Defense State Partnership Program, and will focus on garrison command, chaplaincy, medical planning and distinguished leader meetings between key senior members from the Ohio National Guard and Serbia.

Col. James R. Camp (left), Ohio assistant adjutant general for Air, shakes the hand of Serbian Armed Forces Col. Milan Rankovic, head of International Military Cooperation, while U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kenneth E. Brandt (second from left), chief chaplain of the Army National Guard, is greeted by Serbian Armed Forces Col. Saša Milutinović , head of the Division for Religion.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kenneth E. Brandt (left), chief chaplain of the Army National Guard, is greeted by Serbian Armed Forces Maj. Zoran Radomirović, of the Military Medical Academy.

Ohio Air National Guard Col. Charles Shurlow, flight doctor, deplanes with Ohio National Guard members.

Ohio Army National Guard Sgt. Rhallane Reese, chaplain assistant, deplanes with Ohio National Guard members.

Serbian Armed Forces Col. Saša Milutinović (left), head of the Division for Religion, welcomes Col. James R. Camp (second from left), Ohio assistant adjutant general for Air, and Brig. Gen. Kenneth E. Brandt, chief chaplain of the Army National Guard.

Chief Master Sgt. Sam Given, KC-135 Stratotanker loadmaster with the Ohio Air National Guard, assists Ohio National Guard members as they travel from Columbus, Ohio to Belgrade, Serbia.

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. 

CAPSTONE includes senior leadership engagement throughout the weeklong program in an annual culmination of the year’s SPP events. The trip is focusing on garrison command, chaplaincy and medical planning, and highlights the successes of the 12-year partnership between Serbia and the Ohio National Guard.

“We’re always grateful for the opportunity to be in Serbia with our partners and appreciate the hospitality of our hosts. To meet with multiple Serbian leaders and discuss this past year’s success, while shaping future engagements, is invaluable,” said Ohio Army National Guard Capt. Trevor Ducey, director of Ohio’s State Partnership Program. “Half of the service members on this trip are travelling to Serbia for their first time, creating a memorable cultural experience.”

In addition, as part of CAPSTONE, Ohio National Guard senior leaders and other ONG members will attend the Serbian Armed Forces military academy graduation and representatives will be meeting with Serbian civilian economic, development and education leaders.

The existing cooperation with these agencies has allowed for a planned Sister Cities International program pairing between South Euclid, Ohio and Kraljevo, Serbia, in a memorandum of agreement to discuss building ties and promoting social and cultural relationships with civilian agencies. The signing of this memorandum of agreement between the two cities is the first step in building a partnership that will continue to develop for the Sister City program.

“We’re honored to be here and eager to spend some time with our Serbian partners in their beautiful country and build on the strong foundation we have developed together over the past 12 years,” said Col. James R. Camp, Ohio assistant adjutant general for Air.

In fiscal year 2018, more than 100 ONG Airmen and Soldiers took part in training activities, individual and team engagements and relationship building events such as Platinum Wolf 2018, PAMBALA, Cyber Tesla and CAPSTONE, working side-by-side with their Serbian partners.