New Jersey–Albania National Guard Partnership



The New Jersey–Albania 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. The partnership was established in 1993. The current M2M focus places emphasis on OCO support, NCO Development, Military Medical pre/post deployment medical care, Military Police mentoring, military support to civil authority and disaster response.



History

 * NATO accession in 2009
 * 2010 Visa Liberalization allowed Albanians to travel throughout the EU
 * The latter part of 2010, conscription ended changing the nature of the AAF, with ramifications for training and development of the Force
 * Albania to get EU candidate status provided it delivers key reforms in the judiciary, public administration and the functioning of parliament.
 * Political instability- supporters of the Prime Minister Sali Berisha and opposition leader Edi Rama (Mayor of Tirana) have faced off in the past
 * U.S. Ambassador to Albania warns of rise in nationalist rhetoric during elections
 * More Parliamentary elections set for June 23, 2013
 * Unexploded Ordnance program is a huge success (13 tons annually) and remains a priority for the US Embassy

Partnership focus
Over 100 NJNG to AAF events have been conducted since the partnership began with an emphasis in NCO /Officer Corps Development, Logistics, Medical and MP. The focus for 2013-2015 is a continued expansion of the NCO / Officer Corps professionalism and the expansion of Response to Natural and Man-made Disasters, and IG development. The partnership has assisted in the Preparation of multiple AAF teams for deployment, to include: OMLT/MAT 1-4, MP, medical and EAGLE teams.

Focus of Military-to-Military events:
 * Develop SPP to play larger role in ODC’s programs
 * Expand to regional events – Adriatic 5 country exercises
 * Focus NJ units inclusion as partner on ODT opportunities

2013 Planned Events:
 * Human Resource Development
 * Operational Logistics Capabilities
 * Civil Support Team Capabilities
 * Disaster Response planning and Capabilities
 * Officer Commissioning Program
 * Senior Leader Interagency Engagements
 * Pre-Deployment Capabilities
 * Material Management
 * Military Police Deployed Operations
 * Wild Land Fire Management