By Spc. Duncan Foote, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana – The Louisiana National Guard hosted members of the Belize Defense Force and Belize Coast Guard to discuss operational support plans for the coming years in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 7-11.
This year marks the 28th anniversary of the State Partnership Program between LANG and the Belize Defense Forces. The Louisiana-Belize partnership was established in 1996, and the two countries have since participated in nearly 300 SPP events.
“This meeting provided all parties with the opportunity to discuss and plan future goals, activities and events we wish to develop for future years, as well as validate and confirm anything scheduled for this fiscal year,” Chief Warrant Officer 3 Allen said. West, Director of SPP.
The meeting was attended by Admiral Johnny Borland, Chief of Defense Staff at the Ministry of National Defense and Border Security. “We have a very rigorous program here,” Borland said. “The Belize Defense Forces and the Belize Coast Guard continue to benefit from everything we do here.”
The SPP is an initiative of the National Guard Bureau to advance mutual interests and establish long-term sustainable relationships between the United States and its partner nations. The program currently consists of 88 partnerships with 100 countries around the world.
