The armed forces want to cooperate with the US National Guard in the future. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced an agreement to participate in the State Partnership Program in Vienna on Friday. “This will be a great addition to this program,” said Pompeo, and thanked Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) for her support in drawing it up.
Tanner welcomed the US willingness to initiate the partnership program. The USA is an interesting partner for the training and further education of soldiers. “The US is very interested in the capabilities of our specialized troops, such as the mountain combat force. We can therefore benefit from each other,” said Tanner.
According to the Department of Defense, the aim of the program is to conduct exercises and training together with units of the US armed forces in the future. It is also about the exchange of experts and observers. The bilateral relations between the US armed forces stationed in Europe and the German armed forces are also intended to be deepened. The USA and Austria already have partnerships in the field of training.
The U.S. National Guard is considered the military reserve of the United States Armed Forces. The members of the National Guard are volunteer militiamen. The aim of the 82 partners so far via the State Partnership Program (SSP) is above all to bring about common standards and interoperability for the partners to participate in international missions. (apa)
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