Indiana–Slovakia National Guard Partnership


The Indiana–Slovakia National Guard Partnership is one of 25 European partnerships that make-up the U.S. European Command State Partnership Program and one of 88 worldwide partnerships that make up the National Guard State Partnership Program. Since its inception in 1994, the Indiana and Slovakia partnership has grown steadily in its offerings, training events, and personnel.

History

When Czechoslovakia divided into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993, the Department of Defense and the U.S. State Department saw a great opportunity to become allies with these two new nations. The Indiana-Slovakia partnership began in 1994. The decision to partner Slovakia with Indiana came in large because in the late 19th and early 20th century, many Slovak immigrants came to work in the factories in northern Indiana and were essential in making Indiana what it is today. The two militaries have exchanged troops, techniques and training procedures in over 200 bi-lateral events since partnership began. Events have included, among other things:
In 2004, Slovakia realized the goal it had set from the start of the partnership – full NATO membership. Slovakia also gained membership into the European Union that same year.
As a further testament to the accomplishments of the Indiana-Slovakia partnership, Indiana Guardsmen and Slovak troops deployed side by side to Afghanistan in 2011. For 10 months, they served under the command of an SAF officer as an Operation Mentor and Liaison Team mentoring Afghan logistics troops.