The Maryland National Guard recently hosted a group of public officials, academics, and security analysts from NATO member states and aspirant countries at Martin State Air National Guard Base in Maryland. The visit was part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, which aimed to showcase the importance of collective defense and NATO’s role in global security over the past 75 years. The group visited various locations, including Washington D.C., Norfolk, and Colorado Springs, to gain a better understanding of the National Guard’s operations and the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program.
During the visit to Martin State Air National Guard Base, the group learned about the Maryland Air National Guard’s flying mission and cyberspace operations mission. They also learned about the longstanding partnership between the Maryland National Guard and its state partners, Estonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, through the Defense Department’s State Partnership Program. Maj. Gen. Janeen L. Birckhead, the adjutant general for Maryland, emphasized the importance of these international relationships and the Maryland Guard’s contributions to NATO’s goals of peace, stability, and security through professional military exchanges.
The day at Martin State Air National Guard Base started with opening remarks by Maj. Gen. Birckhead, followed by a tour of an A-10 static display where the group learned about the aircraft from pilots and maintenance airmen. The group then participated in briefings to understand the missions of the 175th Operations Group, which flies the A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft, and the 175th Cyberspace Operations Group, which specializes in offensive and defensive cyber operations. Lt. Col. Eric Burdon highlighted the importance of information technology operations, cyber intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, as well as the collaboration and partnership in addressing cyber threats.
The visit also included discussions on the critical partnership between the Maryland National Guard and Estonia, focusing on cybersecurity efforts and lessons learned from past incidents. The group learned about the collaborative efforts between the Maryland National Guard and its partners, Estonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, through the State Partnership Program. Zebulon Carlander, a former political advisor to the Swedish Foreign Minister, expressed excitement about Sweden’s participation in the program and the opportunity to develop cooperation with New York. The visit concluded with an overview briefing on the State Partnership Program, highlighting the collaborative work between the Maryland National Guard, its partners, and the National Guard Bureau to make meaningful contributions to global security.
