Tennessee National Guard Serves with State Partner Bulgaria
Airman from all three units of the Tennessee Air National Guard (118th Wing, 164th Airlift Wing, 134th Air Refueling Wing) and Soldiers from the 194th Engineer Brigade, Tennessee Army National Guard, deployed to Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria in Aug., 2016
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Photo 1 of 14
Tennessee National Guard Serves with State Partner Bulgaria
1st Sgt. Mike Ilko, 194th Engineer Brigade, Tennessee Army National Guard, shares bottled water with a young cattle herder Aug. 16, 2016, at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. Local cattle and sheep herders regularly herd thier animals across NSTA. Tennessee National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were on rotations to complete thier portions of projects as part of Operation Resolute Castle 16, an ongoing operation of military construction to build up Eastern European base infrastructure and help strengthen ties between Tennessee's state partnership with Bulgaria. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kendra M. Owenby, 134 ARW Public Affairs)
Photo by: Master Sgt. Kendra Owenby
Photo 2 of 14
Tennessee National Guard Serves with State Partner Bulgaria
Airmen from the 118th Mission Support Group, Tennessee Air National Guard, construct lightening protection grid work for the Ammo Holding Area, better known as the AHA, Aug. 16, 2016, at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. Tennessee National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were on rotations to complete thier portions of projects as part of Operation Resolute Castle 16, an ongoing operation of military construction to build up Eastern European base infrastructure and help strengthen ties between Tennessee's state partnership with Bulgaria. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kendra M. Owenby, 134 ARW Public Affairs)
Photo 3 of 14
Tennessee National Guard Serves with State Partner Bulgaria
Airmen from the 118th Mission Support Group, Tennessee Air National Guard, and the 194th Engineer Brigade, Tennessee Army National Guard, install lighting foundations at the Ammo Holding Area, better known as the AHA, Aug. 16, 2016, at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. Tennessee National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were on rotations to complete thier portions of projects as part of Operation Resolute Castle 16, an ongoing operation of military construction to build up Eastern European base infrastructure and help strengthen ties between Tennessee's state partnership with Bulgaria. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kendra M. Owenby, 134 ARW Public Affairs)
Photo 4 of 14
Tennessee National Guard Serves with State Partner Bulgaria
Soldiers from the 194th Engineer Brigade, Tennessee Army National Guard, fill water trucks from a holding pond while free range cattle bathe Aug. 16, 2016, at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. Local cattle and sheep herders regularly herd thier animals across NSTA. Tennessee National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were on rotations to complete thier portions of projects as part of Operation Resolute Castle 16, an ongoing operation of military construction to build up Eastern European base infrastructure and help strengthen ties between Tennessee's state partnership with Bulgaria. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kendra M. Owenby, 134 ARW Public Affairs)
Photo 5 of 14
Tennessee National Guard Serves with State Partner Bulgaria
Airmen from the 118th Mission Support Group, Tennessee Air National Guard, construct lightening protection grid work for the Ammo Holding Area, better known as the AHA, Aug. 16, 2016, at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. Tennessee National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were on rotations to complete thier portions of projects as part of Operation Resolute Castle 16, an ongoing operation of military construction to build up Eastern European base infrastructure and help strengthen ties between Tennessee's state partnership with Bulgaria. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kendra M. Owenby, 134 ARW Public Affairs)
Photo 6 of 14
Tennessee National Guard Serves with State Partner Bulgaria
Master Sgt. Rebecca Fraley, medic for the 118th Mission Support Group, Tennessee Air National Guard, construct lightening protection grid work for the Ammo Holding Area, better known as the AHA, Aug. 16, 2016, at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. Tennessee National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were on rotations to complete thier portions of projects as part of Operation Resolute Castle 16, an ongoing operation of military construction to build up Eastern European base infrastructure and help strengthen ties between Tennessee's state partnership with Bulgaria. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kendra M. Owenby, 134 ARW Public Affairs)
Photo 7 of 14
Tennessee National Guard Serves with State Partner Bulgaria
Airmen from the 118th Mission Support Group, Tennessee Air National Guard, construct lightening protection grid work for the Ammo Holding Area, better known as the AHA, Aug. 16, 2016, at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. Tennessee National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were on rotations to complete thier portions of projects as part of Operation Resolute Castle 16, an ongoing operation of military construction to build up Eastern European base infrastructure and help strengthen ties between Tennessee's state partnership with Bulgaria. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kendra M. Owenby, 134 ARW Public Affairs)
Photo 8 of 14
Tennessee National Guard Serves with State Partner Bulgaria
1st Sgt. Michael Parson, 118th Mission Support Group, Tennessee Air National Guard, clears rocks for a foundation for the Ammo Holding Area, better known as the AHA, Aug. 16, 2016, at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. Tennessee National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were on rotations to complete thier portions of projects as part of Operation Resolute Castle 16, an ongoing operation of military construction to build up Eastern European base infrastructure and help strengthen ties between Tennessee's state partnership with Bulgaria. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kendra M. Owenby, 134 ARW Public Affairs)
Photo 9 of 14
Tennessee National Guard Serves with State Partner Bulgaria
Airmen from the 118th Mission Support Group, Tennessee Air National Guard, stand at parade rest at a sunrise formation as Army Soldiers do their morning PT Aug. 15, 2016, at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. Tennessee National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were on rotations to complete thier portions of projects as part of Operation Resolute Castle 16, an ongoing operation of military construction to build up Eastern European base infrastructure and help strengthen ties between Tennessee's state partnership with Bulgaria. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kendra M. Owenby, 134 ARW Public Affairs)
Photo 10 of 14
Tennessee National Guard Serves with State Partner Bulgaria
Airmen from the 118th Mission Support Group, Tennessee Air National Guard, stand at parade rest at a sunrise formation Aug. 15, 2016, while deployed to Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. Tennessee National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were on rotations to complete thier portions of projects as part of Operation Resolute Castle 16, an ongoing operation of military construction to build up Eastern European base infrastructure and help strengthen ties between Tennessee's state partnership with Bulgaria. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kendra M. Owenby, 134 ARW Public Affairs)
Photo 11 of 14
United States European Command Image
Staff Sgt. Zack Allen, 118th Mission Support Group, Tennessee Air National Guard, stands at parade rest during an early formation Aug. 15, 2016, while deployed to Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. Tennessee National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were on rotations to complete thier portions of projects as part of Operation Resolute Castle 16, an ongoing operation of military construction to build up Eastern European base infrastructure and help strengthen ties between Tennessee's state partnership with Bulgaria. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kendra M. Owenby, 134 ARW Public Affairs)
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Tennessee National Guard Serves with State Partner Bulgaria
Chief Warrant Officer (CW5) Sherry Holman, S-1, 194th EN BDE, Tennessee Army National Guard and Capt. Stephanie McKeen, 134th Public Affairs Officer, Tennessee Air National Guard, discuss the days tasks at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria Aug. 10, 2016. Tennessee National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were on rotations to complete thier portions of projects as part of Operation Resolute Castle 16, an ongoing operation of military construction to build up Eastern European base infrastructure and help strengthen ties between Tennessee's state partnership with Bulgaria. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kendra M. Owenby, 134 ARW Public Affairs)
Photo 13 of 14
Tennessee National Guard Serves with State Partner Bulgaria
Airmen from the 118th Civil Engineer Squadron, Tennessee Air National Guard, install lightening protection at a pavilion Aug. 10, 2016, at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. Tennessee National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were on rotations to complete thier portions of projects as part of Operation Resolute Castle 16, an ongoing operation of military construction to build up Eastern European base infrastructure and help strengthen ties between Tennessee's state partnership with Bulgaria. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kendra M. Owenby, 134 ARW Public Affairs)
Photo 14 of 14
Tennessee National Guard Serves with State Partner Bulgaria
Airmen from the 118th Civil Engineer Squadron, Tennessee Air National Guard, install lightening protection at a pavilion Aug. 10, 2016, at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. Tennessee National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were on rotations to complete thier portions of projects as part of Operation Resolute Castle 16, an ongoing operation of military construction to build up Eastern European base infrastructure and help strengthen ties between Tennessee's state partnership with Bulgaria. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kendra M. Owenby, 134 ARW Public Affairs)
Airman from all three units of the Tennessee Air National Guard (118th Wing, 164th Airlift Wing, 134th Air Refueling Wing) and Soldiers from the 194th Engineer Brigade, Tennessee Army National Guard, deployed to Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria in Aug., 2016.
The majority of the Airmen were on rotation in support of Operation Resolute Castle 16 while some were deployed to work on Humanitarian Civic Assistance projects in the local Bulgarian community.
Members from the 164th AW, 118th W and 134th ARW were deployed as part of a National Guard rotation along with the 194th Engineer Brigade, Tennessee Army National Guard. Major projects included military police training, various ongoing on-site construction projects and off-site humanitarian assistance projects.
Operation Resolute Castle is a division of the larger Operation Atlantic Resolve, a multinational operation led by Army Europe spanning the countries of Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Estonia. The focus of ORC is a movement of military construction to build up Eastern European base infrastructure.
The mission of OAR is to further emphasize the commitment of the U.S. to assist in strengthening the security and peace of the region. Reinforcing these partnerships through joint training of U.S. and allied forces aids in a more stable Eastern Europe. This, in turn, benefits both Europe and the U.S.
Tennessee and Bulgaria were paired together because they share similarities both geographically and by population. Bulgaria is slightly larger in land mass and population. A former Soviet bloc nation, the country of Bulgaria is now a member of the European Union.
The main focus areas of the State Partnership Program are to foster national stability within the NATO infrastructure, gain language/culture proficiency, train on emergency management and disaster response, and develop non-commissioned officer leadership skills.
The Novo Selo Training Area is a major Bulgarian military training facility that was established in 1962. Many NATO countries use the facility for training and the U.S. and Bulgaria have used the site for annual joint training exercises since 2004.
The multi-national training that the Tennessee Air and Army National Guard members and Bulgarian Military receive is invaluable and would be much more difficult to organize without the assistance of the State Partnership Program. Tennessee and Bulgaria have been state partners since 1993 when the National Guard State Partnership Program was established.
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