DUSHANBE, Tajikistan –
Eight Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers conducted a mountain warfare exchange with members of the Tajik military April 27 – May 1, 2026, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The engagement was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Tajikistan have been formal partners since 2003.
The exchange focused on developing and refining mountain warfare fundamentals, while fostering collaboration between U.S. and Tajik forces. The VNG Soldiers, assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division and Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett, worked with 18 Tajik participants, representing three different organizations of the nation’s defense forces. Ranks ranged from junior officers to senior Lieutenant Colonels.
The VaARNG team was composed of Maj. Patrick Limon, Capt. Calvin Burns, Capt. Ken Swan, Sgt. Maj. Latane Gilliam, Sgt. Maj. Daniel Timberlake, Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Donovan, Sgt. 1st Class Josh Brainard and Sgt. 1st Class David Granfield.
Training took place over five days of progressive instruction on a Tajik training base located outside of Dushanbe. The exchange began with classroom instruction on basic knots. From there, participants moved on to some basic rope fundamentals which assisted them in negotiating challenging terrain through the use of rappelling and hauling techniques.
“The event concluded with an outdoor class on mountain tactical movements through the mountains near the training base,” said Timberlake. “This focused squad-level operations and execution of a deliberate linear ambush to include tactical movement to the target location through mountainous terrain.”
This event reinforces the growing military-to-military relationship between the Virginia Army National Guard and Tajikistan, promoting regional stability and long-term cooperation.
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 VNG’s partnership with Tajikistan at https://vngpao.info/4k3xhwfv.