CONTACT: Mr. Eric Durr 518-786-4581 or (cell) 518-429-5186

FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, May 19, 2009

ON SITE: Mr. Eric Durr 518-786-4581 or (cell) 518-429-5186

WHO:

WHO: South African Air Force Lieutenant Colonels Marius Johannes Bosch, Edwell Charles Herandien, Angela Human, and Georgina Denga Mokwebo, and New York Army National Guard Major Patrick Chaisson (South African Partnership Program Officer) and New York Air National Guard Lt. Col. Robert Bullock, the escort officer for the trip.

WHAT:

Four South African officers will be visiting New York National Guard headquarters on Friday, May 22, as part of a partnership program between the New York National Guard and the Republic of South Africa. The visit is part of a week-long trip to the United States in which the South African officers studied U.S. military public affairs operations in Washington. Members of the Capital Region Media are welcome to meet with the four South Africans, and New York National Guard officers to discuss the partnership program and their visit t o the United States. The four South African Air Force officers, whose military specialities include foreign relations, corporate communications, special operations, and protocol officer, are currently in Washington D.C. meeting with Public Affairs officers of the United States Air Force, and the National Guard Bureau. The officers also toured the Defense Information School at Fort Meade Maryland, where the public affairs officers and enlisted service members for all armed services are trained. The South African officers will be able to discuss their impressions of the United States military and the National Guard.

WHEN:

11:30 a.m., Friday, May 22, 2009

WHERE:

Division of Military & Naval Affairs, State Headquarters, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham

State Partnership Program with South Africa: .The State Partnership Program (SPP) is a National Guard initiative that aligns American states with countries around the world for the purpose of fostering mutual interests and establishing long-term relationships across all levels of society. The SPP helps to facilitate bilateral engagement and security cooperation as well as enhance professional relationships and mutual understanding. It encourages the development of economic, political and military ties between U.S. states and partner nations. New York’s Partnership Program with South Africa was initiated in 2003. Since then New York National Guard and South African officers have regularly exchanged visits to take part in conferences, training events, and even air shows. A New York National Guard officer is stationed permanently in South Africa to coordinate events between that nation and the New York National Guard. .

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