Strong ties with Indiana National Guard

Following his official meeting with SVK CHOD Lt. Gen. Peter Vojtek, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard, was welcomed by SVK Minister of De-fence Martin Glváč. Talks centred on further military co-operation between the Indiana National Guard and the SVK Armed Forces. In recognition of his merits, the Minister of Defence presented Maj. Gen. Umbarger with the Commemorative Medal.

Maj. Gen. Umbarger also met with SVK Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miro-slav Lajčák and SVK NC Defence and Security Committee Chairman Jaroslav Baška. Accompanied by SVK CHOD Lt. Gen. Vojtek, the U.S. delegation visited military units in eastern Slovakia that engage in excellent co-operation with Interior Ministry personnel. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák briefed the American guests on Slovakia's border protection system. During the SIAF airshow Maj. Gen. Umbarger met with President and CinC of the SVK Armed Forces Ivan Gašparovič. "I am pleased to say that next year we'll celebrate the 20th anniversary of the co-operation between the SVK Armed Forces and the Indiana National Guard," said M. Umbarger at the end of his visit.