Maryland Air National Guard Hosts BALTDEFCOL

On the final leg of the US visit, BALTDEFCOL paid a visit to Warfield Air National Guard Base in Baltimore, Maryland. The delegation was hosted by Brig Gen Allyson Solomon, dual-hatted as Assistant Adjutant General and Air National Guard Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.

The MD ANG provided an excellent overview of their 175th Air Wing, commanded by Brigadier General Scott Kelly. The Wing has been a significant contributor to operations in Afghanistan, and has one of the oldest State Partnerships in the National Guard. In fact, this summer marks Maryland's 20th year anniversary with Estonia, its state partner. Additionally, the 175th Air Wing will be briefly stationed in the Baltic region for the Saber Strike exercise.

Major General Vitalijus Vaikšnoras thanked the MD Air National Guard for its support and cooperation in the past. He highlighted the attendance of the National Guard's first Officer - a Maryland Officer - in the Joint Command and General Staff Course. He and Brigadier General Solomon agreed to continue to deepen the relationship between BALTDEFCOL and the Maryland Air National Guard in the future.