DUSHANBE, Tajikistan –
Virginia National Guard Airmen assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, 192nd Wing conducted an engineer exchange with Republic of Tajikistan military and law enforcement personnel Jan. 22 - 26, 2024, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The exchange was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Tajikistan have been partners since 2003.
As part of the exchange, the teams shared best practices, experiences and lessons, focusing on base denial, demolition, building defensive fighting positions and airfield crater repair.
The Virginia delegation for the exchange consisted of 2nd Lt. Andrew Seitter, Chief Master Sgt. Karl Burnell Jr. and Master Sgt. Justin Edelman, all assigned to the 203rd RED HORSE Squadron. The Tajikistan personnel attending consisted of members with experience ranging from combat engineers, explosive ordnance disposal and border protection.
All three Airmen spoke highly of the experience and of their Tajik partners.
“Overall, the exchange was successful with a lot of interaction between us and our Tajikistani partners,” said Seitter. “We see ways that we both can better our future engineering efforts. The exchange seems to have had a great effect on our partner’s future engineering strategies.”
“This exchange was a great opportunity to share real world experiences and exchange engineering techniques with our Tajikistan partners,” said Burnell. “I appreciate the opportunity to support the Virginia National Guard’s partnership with Tajikistan. The exchange will no doubt help us prepare for the future of military engineering operations.”
Tajik participants in the exercise agreed the exchange was beneficial to both organizations.
“We appreciate the knowledge, experience and expertise that the RED HORSE members shared,” said Capt. Amirjon Hojiev. “The experience allowed us to learn from each other and will make us even better engineers in the future.”
Members of the 203rd conducted a similar exchange in Tajikistan in June 2023. Read more about that exchange at https://ngpa.us/25932.
In July 2023, the VNG and Tajikistan celebrated the 20th anniversary of their formal partnership in the State Partnership Program, which itself just celebrated its 30-year anniversary. The relationship has benefitted all parties, from sharing subject matter expertise throughout 200 military-to-military engagements that help counter terrorism, deter violent extremism, expand emergency response capabilities, develop professionalism among leaders and staffs and promote shared values in national sovereignty and security.
Read more about the State Partnership Program at https://ngpa.us/24494.
Read more about the 203rd RED HORSE at https://ngpa.us/27475.