WEBVTT 00:03.000 --> 00:05.620 - General James E. Taylor, I'm the Assistant Director 00:05.620 --> 00:06.670 for the Army National Guard 00:06.670 --> 00:09.246 for Plans, Operations and Strategy. 00:09.246 --> 00:10.996 - [Interviewer] Okay. 00:12.100 --> 00:15.530 What's so important about bringing 00:15.530 --> 00:17.050 National Guardsmen to these 00:17.050 --> 00:19.623 multinational exercises on other continents? 00:20.920 --> 00:23.400 - It does two things for the National Guard. 00:23.400 --> 00:25.690 One of the things, it assists with our readiness, 00:25.690 --> 00:27.900 so that we're able to deploy in support of operations, 00:27.900 --> 00:32.700 but also it fosters a partnership that is able to endure 00:32.700 --> 00:35.050 with the various countries that we participate in. 00:35.050 --> 00:35.940 One of the strengths 00:35.940 --> 00:39.310 of the National Guard State Partnership Program 00:39.310 --> 00:42.170 is that you can foster some longterm relationships 00:42.170 --> 00:45.030 with soldiers that will be in place for a while. 00:45.030 --> 00:47.930 We just celebrated the 25th anniversary 00:47.930 --> 00:52.290 of the State Partnership between Pennsylvania and Lithuania 00:52.290 --> 00:56.460 and over those nearly quarter century of service, 00:56.460 --> 00:58.890 you're able to grow together 00:58.890 --> 01:02.550 and really foster some relationships that endure 01:02.550 --> 01:05.833 and it really helps enable military operations. 01:07.240 --> 01:08.870 - [Interviewer] You mentioned the State Partnership Program, 01:08.870 --> 01:11.480 can you explain a little bit about what that is? 01:11.480 --> 01:13.410 - So the State Partnership Program 01:13.410 --> 01:15.720 is that linking of the formations 01:15.720 --> 01:18.460 of the state with a particular country 01:18.460 --> 01:22.380 and the National Guard supports State Partnerships, really, 01:22.380 --> 01:24.800 in every geographic combatant command. 01:24.800 --> 01:27.780 So we have several here in Europe, 01:27.780 --> 01:29.320 we have them in South America, 01:29.320 --> 01:32.270 we support Pacific Command, 01:32.270 --> 01:36.720 and the geographic combatant commands really determine 01:36.720 --> 01:39.940 what states should have a partnership 01:39.940 --> 01:41.340 and then the National Guard, 01:41.340 --> 01:43.540 we help facilitate those countries 01:43.540 --> 01:46.120 and line them up with one of our states. 01:46.120 --> 01:47.800 - [Interviewer] So, for instance, 01:47.800 --> 01:51.480 the partnership between Lithuania and Pennsylvania, 01:51.480 --> 01:54.350 what does that look like? 01:54.350 --> 01:56.223 How does that enacted? 01:57.120 --> 02:00.670 - So it really covers the spectrum of military operations 02:00.670 --> 02:02.540 and they do several events 02:02.540 --> 02:05.500 and exchanges throughout the year. 02:05.500 --> 02:07.190 You know, with Pennsylvania Guards, 02:07.190 --> 02:09.690 soldiers coming over to train, 02:09.690 --> 02:13.200 Lithuanian soldiers going over to Pennsylvania to train, 02:13.200 --> 02:15.690 they even deploy together for operations. 02:15.690 --> 02:19.150 Some of Pennsylvania's formations over in Afghanistan 02:19.150 --> 02:23.200 were actually filled by some Lithuanian soldiers. 02:23.200 --> 02:25.800 So it really is an opportunity to be able 02:25.800 --> 02:29.393 to have combined operations together. 02:30.660 --> 02:32.700 - [Interviewer] Is there anything you would like to add 02:32.700 --> 02:34.982 that you think the people should know? 02:34.982 --> 02:39.000 - I think one of the great things about these exercises 02:39.000 --> 02:41.860 is it not only enhances readiness, 02:41.860 --> 02:43.530 to be able to participate in them, 02:43.530 --> 02:46.040 but it helps with interoperability. 02:46.040 --> 02:48.360 And when we look at several of the problems 02:48.360 --> 02:51.600 facing the world today, they're regional in nature. 02:51.600 --> 02:54.770 And so the more things that we're able to do 02:54.770 --> 02:59.180 between militaries and between countries 02:59.180 --> 03:01.100 to address problems that are regional, 03:01.100 --> 03:02.190 the better off we are. 03:02.190 --> 03:04.520 And it's far better to be able to do it 03:04.520 --> 03:06.680 in a training environment like this 03:07.530 --> 03:11.240 before we have to do together in a crisis. 03:11.240 --> 03:12.190 - [Interviewer] Great. 03:12.190 --> 03:13.040 Did you have anything? 03:13.040 --> 03:14.356 - [Man] Nah, I think that's good. 03:14.356 --> 03:16.856 - [Interviewer] Okay, alright.