WEBVTT 00:08.770 --> 00:10.603 In the heart of Southeast Asia , 00:10.603 --> 00:13.069 between Indonesia and Australia lies 00:13.079 --> 00:15.130 the young nation of Timor Leste , a 00:15.500 --> 00:17.649 country rich in culture and history , 00:17.659 --> 00:20.129 developing its defense capabilities . 00:20.420 --> 00:23.129 2024 marked the fourth year of Dan 00:23.430 --> 00:25.629 Badame . An exercise between Timor 00:25.770 --> 00:28.790 Leste and US Army Pacific . This year , 00:28.799 --> 00:30.966 the Rhode Island National Guard joined 00:30.966 --> 00:33.077 to strengthen international bonds and 00:33.077 --> 00:37.000 enhance military cooper . Since 2020 00:37.009 --> 00:39.009 the Rhode Island National Guard and 00:39.009 --> 00:40.842 Timor Leste have worked together 00:40.842 --> 00:43.065 through the state partnership program , 00:43.065 --> 00:45.176 Dan Badame , meaning Path to peace in 00:45.176 --> 00:47.349 Tum symbolizes the partnership between 00:47.360 --> 00:49.304 the United States military and the 00:49.304 --> 00:52.709 Timor Leste Defense Force or the FFDTL . 00:53.380 --> 00:55.680 This annual event emphasizes training , 00:55.689 --> 00:58.119 collaboration and community outreach 00:58.409 --> 01:00.409 through joint exercises . The Rhode 01:00.409 --> 01:02.242 Island National Guard shares its 01:02.242 --> 01:04.440 expertise in modern military tactics 01:04.449 --> 01:07.160 and operational readiness . In return 01:07.169 --> 01:09.280 us soldiers learn the unique strength 01:09.280 --> 01:11.113 and resilience of their Timorese 01:11.113 --> 01:13.169 counterparts . Rhode Island soldiers 01:13.169 --> 01:15.280 from joint force headquarters , the 2 01:15.280 --> 01:17.400 43rd Regional Training Institute and 01:17.410 --> 01:19.699 Medical Detachment worked to coach , 01:19.709 --> 01:23.400 teach and mentor FFDTL soldiers as part 01:23.410 --> 01:25.521 of the teach and coach portion of our 01:25.521 --> 01:27.354 mission out here , we've had the 01:27.354 --> 01:30.410 opportunity to uh first instruct the 01:30.419 --> 01:33.599 squad leaders and below of the FFDTL . 01:33.830 --> 01:35.886 Uh and then when we coach and mentor 01:35.886 --> 01:38.540 them , we've challenged them with the 01:38.550 --> 01:40.480 opportunity to instruct their own 01:40.489 --> 01:43.470 soldiers in the same coursework and 01:43.480 --> 01:45.730 curriculum of land navigation , 01:45.790 --> 01:49.309 operating a radio movement and maneuver 01:49.319 --> 01:51.486 and uh really seeing them progress and 01:51.486 --> 01:53.769 do well with that piece has been quite 01:53.779 --> 01:55.949 rewarding and a good practice that we 01:55.959 --> 01:57.903 need to continue . But the mission 01:57.903 --> 01:59.848 extends beyond military training . 01:59.848 --> 02:02.070 Chaplain , Varghese of Rhode Island's 1 02:02.070 --> 02:04.070 43rd airlift wing conducted several 02:04.070 --> 02:06.181 religious leader engagements in Timor 02:06.181 --> 02:07.959 Leste . In conjunction with the 02:07.959 --> 02:11.268 exercise , the Dan Badame 2024 closing 02:11.279 --> 02:13.858 ceremony opened with a demonstration by 02:13.869 --> 02:16.289 FFDTL soldiers . Culminating all 02:16.298 --> 02:18.409 training they received from the Rhode 02:18.409 --> 02:20.465 Island National Guard . I think just 02:20.465 --> 02:22.520 the personal engagement from all the 02:22.520 --> 02:26.029 FFDTL soldiers , they show respect not 02:26.039 --> 02:28.270 only to their cadre but to the American 02:28.279 --> 02:30.335 soldiers and just the engagement . A 02:30.335 --> 02:32.446 lot of them are always cracking jokes 02:32.446 --> 02:34.446 or just trying to learn some of our 02:34.446 --> 02:36.390 language together . The US and the 02:36.390 --> 02:38.557 Timorese build more than just military 02:38.557 --> 02:40.446 capabilities . They build lasting 02:40.446 --> 02:42.446 relationships that foster peace and 02:42.446 --> 02:44.839 mutual support across the world . 02:44.850 --> 02:46.906 Partnerships flourish through shared 02:46.906 --> 02:48.970 experiences . Cultural exchanges 02:48.979 --> 02:50.590 highlight the formed bonds , 02:50.590 --> 02:52.590 celebrating the vibrant heritage of 02:52.590 --> 02:54.701 Timor Leste and the commitment of the 02:54.701 --> 02:56.646 United States and the Rhode Island 02:56.646 --> 02:56.679 National Guard .