embers of the New York Air and Army National Guard are now partnering with Airmen and Soldiers from half a world away. New York State and South African forces have been training together since 2003.
Feel free to browse SPP Events and read the SPP Information Paper for more details.

Pretoria, SA: Left to right: Col A.Y. Amasi (Director of Reserve Force Component-Tanzania People’s Defence) ;Major General Patrick Murphy ( USAthe adjutant general of New York); Vice-Admiral J. Mudimu (Chief SA Navy) ; Maj Gen R.C. Andersen, (Chief Des Ref) participate in the 2012 South African National Defense Force Strategic Work session 16-18 February, 2012. Photo by SGT N. Malatji

Pretoria, SA: Left to right: Col S.A. Motswadira (Des Res Promotions); Maj S. Williams (USA Embassy); Brig Gen S. Molefe (Director Def Res); Brig Gen J.J. Gibbs (Deputy Chief Director Def Res); Brig Gen T.T. Nqapayi (Vice Chair : RFC); Brig Gen R.L. Payne, (USA- Director, Joint Staff, New York Joint Force Headquarters); Major General Patrick Murphy ( USA-the adjutant general of New York); Maj Gen R.C. Andersen, (Chief Des Ref ) ; Commodore R.J. Mansergh (Head of Reserve Force and Cadets-UK Ministry of Defence); Col D.E. Hopkins (Deputy Chief Defence Staff Personnel and Training-UK Ministry of Defence); Col A.Y. Amasi (Director of Reserve Force Component-Tanzania People’s Defence); Maj Gen L.M. Dlulane (SANDF-Deputy Chief Corporate Staff); Maj A.R. Gumbo (Personal Assistant(PA) of Chief of Reserve Forces-Tanzania People’s Defence); Maj R.M. Ford(USA-State Partnership Programme Director). Photo by SGT N. Malatji

Pretoria, SA: Members of the 104th Military Police Battalion discuss Army National Guard C2, Capabilities, training, mission sets & lessons learned with South African Military Police during a September 2011 Mil to Mil event. Photo by SFC Cady

Potschefstroom, SA: Members of the NY National Guard's 2-108th Infantry stand in formation with miltinational forces from the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, France, Tanzania and Canada during the opening event of the South African Military Skills competition November 8, 2010. The event was initiated by the Chief of Corporate Staff of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Major General J.I. Jansen Van Rensburg to develop the SANDF marksmanship and water obstacle skills through competition.

Bloemfontein, SA: South African Self Defense Forces familiarize members of the NY Army National Guard's 53rd Troop Command with the South African Service Rifle (R4) during the May 2011 South African Combat Rifle Competition. Photos by SFC Rick

The State Partnership Program is a way for American states to create positive relationships with many nations. Some recent events between New York State and South Africa include marksmanship competitions, the Deputy Adjutant General's visit to South Africa, and an Aviation Safety team event.

Read more about a medical conference where New York National Guard doctors drove over a live land mine and survived to tell the tale.

Learn here how an Air National Guard Chaplain helped design an insignia for the newly-created Swaziland Defence Force Chaplaincy Service, and see photos from this small African kingdom located between South Africa and Mozambique.

Also, this July-August, 2003 Guard Times article has more information on the State Partnership Program in New York.
You can also contact the program coordinator, MAJ Renee Ford, at renee.m.ford@us.army.mil or call 518-786-6094/DSN 489-6094.

About the State Partnership Program
National Guard Bureau, Office of International Affairs (J5-IA)

About the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM)

About the Republic of South Africa
CIA - The World Factbook -- South Africa
Library of Congress - Country Studies - Area Handbook Series - South Africa

United States Mission to South Africa
United States Embassy , Pretoria, South Africa

South African Mission to the United States
Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Washington D.C.
South African Consulate General New York

South African Government Websites
South African Government Online
South African Department of Defence/National Defence Forces

Rank Insignia of the South African National Defence Forces (SANDF)