New Jersey–Albania National Guard Partnership
| Part of the U.S. European Command State Partnership Program | |
 | |
| Origin | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Country president | Bajram Begaj |
| Prime minister | Edi Rama |
| Minister of defense | Niko Peleshi |
| Ambassador to U.S. | Floreta Faber |
| Ambassador to Albania | Yuri Kim |
| Adjutant general | Lisa J. Hou |
| 2012 Engagements | 5[1] |
| NATO member | Yes (2009) |
| EU member | No |
The New Jersey–Albania 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.[2] 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.[3]
History[edit]
 |
- NATO accession in 2009[4]
- 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[3]
Partnership focus[edit]
|
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.[3]
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[3]
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[3]
References[edit]
- ^ "2012 EUCOM SPP Events" (PDF). U.S. European Command. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 March 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
- ^ "National Guard SPP". The National Guard. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
- ^ a b c d e "SPP Data" (PDF). U.S. European Command. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- ^ "SPP Data". U.S. European Command. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2013.