{"id":123925,"date":"2026-02-26T08:44:30","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T08:44:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/123925\/"},"modified":"2026-02-26T08:44:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T08:44:30","slug":"illinois-pennsylvania-and-california-guardsmen-strengthen-ties-with-state-partners-article","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/123925\/","title":{"rendered":"Illinois, Pennsylvania and California Guardsmen Strengthen Ties with State Partners | Article"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Allies and partners gather for a group photo after the Brave Band 2026 Exercise. The Lithuanian, Polish, Ukrainian Brigade (LITPOLUKRBRIG) conducted Exercise Brave Band 2026 from Jan. 25 to Feb. 6, an annual battle staff training event designed to enhance the brigade headquarters\u2019 ability to plan, synchronize, and execute multinational operations in a complex operational environment. The exercise included service members from the Illinois, Pennsylvania, and California National Guards. Through the State Partnership Program, the Illinois National Guard is partnered with Poland, the Pennsylvania National Guard is partnered with Lithuania, and the California National Guard is partnered with Ukraine.
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LUBLIN, Poland \u2013 The Lithuanian, Polish, Ukrainian Brigade (LITPOLUKRBRIG) conducted Exercise Brave Band 2026 from Jan. 25 to Feb. 6. The annual battle staff training event is designed to enhance the brigade headquarters\u2019 ability to plan, synchronize and execute multinational operations in a complex operational environment.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s exercise also marked 11 consecutive years of participation by the National Guard, with mentors from the Illinois, Pennsylvania and California National Guards continuing a long-standing partnership aimed at strengthening multinational headquarters effectiveness. Through the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, the Illinois National Guard is partnered with Poland, the Pennsylvania National Guard is partnered with Lithuania and the California National Guard is partnered with Ukraine.<\/p>\n

\u201cExperience in working with the brigade was enlightening to see how universal military concepts are incorporated among the various nations,\u201d said California National Guard Sgt. Timothy Davis, a geographic information systems (GIS) coordinator and intelligence analyst. \u201cBrave Band 26 was a fantastic opportunity to train and learn with our partners.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brave Band 2026 focused on staff integration, operational planning and mission command across the brigade headquarters, reinforcing interoperability among Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian personnel while incorporating lessons learned from contemporary operations.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was great to be back in Poland training with our partners in the LITPOLUKR brigade. Every visit reaffirms how much progress we\u2019ve made together and how much potential still lies ahead,\u201d said Lt. Col. Paul McConkey, Illinois National Guard selective service officer and maneuver lead for the exercise.<\/p>\n

Illinois National Guard Col. Tim Newman, the strategic plans and international affairs officer (J-5), has trained with LITPOLUKRBRIG four times.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis exercise continues to demonstrate the strength of the National Guard State Partnership Program as it builds multinational partnership security and capacity. It truly emulates the LITPOLUKR brigade\u2019s motto, \u2018United for Peace,\u2019\u201d Newman said.<\/p>\n

National Guard Website – http:\/\/www.nationalguard.mil<\/a><\/p>\n

National Guard Facebook – https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheNationalGuard<\/a><\/p>\n

National Guard X – https:\/\/x.com\/USNationalGuard<\/a><\/p>\n

National Guard Flickr – https<\/a>\/\/www.flickr.com\/TheNationalGuard<\/a><\/p>\n

National Guard YouTube – https<\/a>\/\/www.youtube.com\/TheNationalGuard<\/a><\/p>\n

National Guard Instagram – https<\/a>\/\/instagram.com\/us.nationalguard<\/a><\/p>\n

National Guard State Partnership Website – https:\/\/www.nationalguard.mil\/Leadership\/Joint-Staff\/J-5\/International-Affairs-Division\/State-Partnership-Program\/<\/a><\/p>\n