b'.Krah Per Krah continued from page 15 and U.S. capabilities to task in a large-scale mobilizationIn the past 20 years, the partnership between the Newof forces.Jersey National Guard and the Albanian Armed Forces hasIn addition to military engagements, New Jersey civil bolstered a wide swath of Albanian advances in regionalauthorities and civic leaders play a role in the partnership. and international security, including the republics NATOIn 2008, United States European Command requested a membership in 2009; transition from a conscript Army to anHumanitarian Assistance Survey Team from New Jerseyall-volunteer force in 2010; NATOs readiness certificationto assist with the reduction of unexploded ordnance in of the Albanian 2nd Battalion in 2018; establishment andGerdec, Albania. The subsequent deployment of civilintegration of the AAF Non-Commissioned Officer Corps;emergency management specialists from New Jerseyand four NJNG/AAF International Security Assistance Forcemarked the first time a State Partnership Program hadMentor Advisor Team deployments to Afghanistan. been utilized for such a purpose. More recently in July 2022, the 2-113th Infantry Regiment,The partnership between New Jersey and Albania is44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New Jersey Armya natural fit in many ways, from our immediate surroundings, National Guard conducted a training exercise at Fort Drum,to our people and local culture, said Brig. Gen. Lisa J. Hou, New York with the 2nd Land Force Infantry Battalion, AAF.The Adjutant General of New Jersey. Our lands sharea similar climate and terrain, with coastal resorts and The three-week eXportable Combat Training Capabilitybeaches not too far away from mountain foothills. The rotation was followed by a NATO validation exercise in Biza,large community of residents with Albanian heritage in the Albania, September 2022, ensuring the Albanian Armedtri-state area bring a proud cultural distinction to our richly Forces ability to support interoperability across full diverse region.spectrum operations. All look ahead to DEFENDER-23, Hou added that Albania was the first southeastern a regional exercise which will put additional Albanian European country to offer assistance to Afghan familiesSoldiers of the 2-113th Infantry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New Jersey Army National Guard conduct mortar training with soldiers of the 2nd Land Force Infantry Battalion, Albanian Armed Forces, during eXportable Combat Training Capability, Fort Drum, New York, July 16, 2022. The combined field training exercise is one of more than two dozen annual State Partnership Program military-to-military engagements between New Jersey and Albanian service members, promoting interoperability, technical competence, and people-to-people ties.Photos by Army Sgt. Benjamin Martinez, 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment16 Military Appreciation Resource Magazine Thank You For Your Service'