Illinois–Poland National Guard Partnership

Illinois–Poland State Partnership
Origin 1993
Country President Bronisław Komorowski
Prime Minister Donald Tusk
Minister of Defense Tomasz Siemoniak
Ambassador to U.S. Ryszard Schnepf
Ambassador to Poland Stephen D. Mull
Adjutant General Daniel M. Krumrei
2012 Engagements 16[1]
Current ISAF Pax 1770
NATO member Yes (1999)
EU member Yes (2003)

The Illinois–Poland National Guard Partnership is one of 22 European partnerships that make-up the U.S. European Command State Partnership Program and one of 65 worldwide partnerships that make-up the National Guard State Partnership Program.[2] The relationship between the Illinois National Guard and the Republic of Poland is an enduring partnership that was established in 1993. The primary focus is split between support of ISAF Operational training and co-deployment, Professional Military Education, Transformation of the Forces, Crisis Management and Response, and Defense Support of Civil Authorities.[3]

History

President Obama meets with soldiers from Poland and the Illinois Guard during a visit to Poland

"Illinois has served with Polish forces overseas since the start of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are serving alongside our Polish brothers-in-arms as equals." - MG William Enyart, former Adjutant General, Illinois National Guard

Background information:

Established in July 1993, the State Partnership Program (SPP) between Illinois and Poland was one of the first SPP relationships initiated between the National Guard and the former Soviet Eastern Block countries. The partnership between Illinois and Poland was influenced by the large Polish population in Illinois. Chicago is recognized as having the largest Polish population outside of Warsaw, with 1.1 million residents of Polish descent.[5]

The Polish Land Forces were in the transformation process in the earlier 1990s when the partnership began. Since then, the partnership has matured from military-to-military exchanges to broad-based civilian exchanges, activities and events. Through the efforts of the Illinois-Poland SPP, the Polish Land Forces are today as capable as their U.S. military counterparts and Poland has been the largest SPP contributing nation to the International Security Assistance Force. Information sharing between the Polish Armed Forces and the Illinois National Guard has increased both organizations intellectual capacity in areas that support combat and stability operations.[6]

One of the greatest examples of collaboration and partnering between a U.S. State and an SPP Partner Nation is the Transatlantic Collaborative Biological Resiliency Demonstration (TaCBRD). This program is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), the U.S. Department of State (DOS), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Republic of Poland. The purpose is to develop and demonstrate the capability to counter a wide area biological incident that impacts U.S. or Partner Nation civilian and military personnel and key infrastructure. For wide-area contagious biological threats, TaCBRD focuses on mitigating morbidity through rapid detection and containment – thereby saving lives and enhancing recovery. Specifically, the program provides solutions for overseas response and recovery and partner nation collaboration. Most importantly, TaCBRD also enhances relationships and build partner capacity with key nation(s) within DOD’s European Command (EUCOM) area of responsibility.[7]

The strong partnership continues to positively impact the relationship between the Polish and U.S. people with personal and professional friendships emerging from each exchange.

Partnership focus

Future events between Illinois and Poland will focus on recruiting, retention, family assistance, veterans' affairs, and assistance with the transformation of the Polish National Reserve Force.

Military-to-Military (M2M) events will enable Poland to lead multi-national initiatives within Central Europe that seek to promote regional stability. Additionally, events will include Unit level exchanges, Officer/NCO Professional Development, DSCA / Crisis Management, and National Reserve Force Transformation.

Interagency (Domestic Operations) events will include Counter/Anti Terrorism Collaboration, Disaster Preparedness, and Build Homeland Security Posture via Joint Exercises.

One of the most important events between Illinois and Poland is the Transatlantic Collaborative Biological Resiliency Demonstration (TacBRD) program. This three-year program, which began in 2012 and runs through 2014, will enhance National Defense by increasing resilience to catastrophic events and by providing capability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a biological attack.[8]

2013 Planned Events:

Future Years Proposed Events:

Gallery

Soldiers from Poland and the Illinois National Guard treat a simulated casualty during an exercise in Warsaw, Poland 
A team of Polish and American Soldiers practice decontamination procedures during a training exercise in Poland 
Eight Illinois guardsmen walk with Polish and German Soldiers during an annual pilgrimage from Warsaw to Czestochowa 
Soldiers with the Illinois Army National Guard and a Polish Soldier conduct medical response and litter use on a simulated casualty 

References

  1. ↑ "2012 SPP Engagements" (PDF). U.S. European Command. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  2. ↑ "National Guard SPP". The National Guard. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  3. ↑ "Poland and Illinois National Guard Partnership Model for Other States". U.S. Embassy in Warsaw. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  4. ↑ "SPP Data" (PDF). U.S. European Command. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  5. ↑ "Illinois-Poland SPP origins". Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  6. ↑ "ISAF Contributions" (PDF). International Security Assistance Force. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  7. ↑ "Transatlantic Collaborative Biological Resiliency Demonstration" (PDF). Department of Homeland Security. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  8. ↑ "(TaCBRD) Program Overview" (PDF). Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Retrieved 8 February 2013.

External links

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