FORT WAYNE Ind. (ADAMS) – Slovakian Chief of Defense, Gen. Daniel Zmeko met with Indiana National Guard leadership on July 14, 2023, at the 122nd Fighter Wing (FW) in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The meeting aimed to strengthen relationships with Slovakian armed forces as part of the state partnership Indiana and Slovakia have enjoyed since 1994.
Representatives for the 122nd released the following:
“For nearly 30 years the Indiana National Guard has partnered with our Slovak allies,” said Col. Joshua C. “Deuce” Waggoner, 122nd Fighter Wing commander. “The visit by Gen. Zmeko and his team is the just the latest in hundreds of engagements with the Blacksnakes of the 122nd FW in an effort to learn from one another and build true, lasting relationships.”
Zmeko engaged in strategic discussions and toured the base with the Adjutant General of Indiana, Maj. Gen. R. Dale Lyles, Assistant Adjutant General – Air, Brig. Gen. Michael D. Stohler, and 122nd Fighter Wing Commander, Col. Joshua C. Waggoner.
“It was an especially important opportunity for us to share best practices and lessons learned since both of our missions are changing as they accept new Block 70 F-16s and we convert from the mighty A-10 to the F-16,” said Waggoner.
The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relationships between states and NATO allies for decades. The program now includes 88 unique partnerships involving 100 nations around the globe since it began building partnerships in 1991.
“The friendships that we have forged between our pilots, maintainers and security forces defenders will pay huge dividends over time as we learn our new missions together and become a formidable fighting force for the defense of NATO and our shared values,” said Waggoner.
