Czech president highlights 33-year Nebraska Guard partnership

LINCOLN, Neb. - The Nebraska National Guard marked a historic occasion Sept. 24 when Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly, Maj. Gen. Craig Strong, Nebraska adjutant general, and other senior Guard leaders, Soldiers and Airmen welcomed Czech President Petr Pavel to Joint Force Headquarters.

The visit highlighted the Nebraska National Guard's 33-year partnership with the Czech Armed Forces and is believed to be the first time the Nebraska National Guard has hosted a head of state.

"This was truly a monumental event for the Nebraska National Guard," Strong said. "After 33 years of partnering with the Czech Armed Forces and working together to address the many common challenges we face in the world, to have the actual Czech head of state visit us here in Nebraska was such an honor."

Pavel was accompanied by Czech Ambassador to the United States Jakub Kulhanek, Czech diplomats, military leaders, government delegates and members of the Czech media.

"We are so pleased to have the president with us today," Kelly said during an official welcome at Joint Force Headquarters, witnessed by more than 100 Nebraska Soldiers, Airmen and civilian employees who lined the building's three balconies. "I think if we were to go around and have everyone in this entire building tell us what their family heritage is, I suspect that one out of every three - if not more - would be of strong Czech heritage."

"The bonds are so great. The bonds have been very strong here recently with the Nebraska National Guard. … We are lucky to have you here for a few days. And we hope you enjoy it," Kelly added.

Czech roots run deep in Nebraska, which has one of the largest Czech-heritage populations per capita in the United States. Those cultural ties were among the reasons Nebraska was selected to partner with the Czech Armed Forces in 1993 through the National Guard State Partnership Program.

Texas is also part of the partnership, making the Nebraska-Texas-Czech Republic relationship the only trilateral State Partnership Program partnership in Europe.

Pavel said he was pleased to visit the Nebraska National Guard, adding that the welcome he received at Joint Force Headquarters rivaled the farewell he received after serving three years as chairman of the NATO Military Committee.

"But this is much better because it is a welcome. And it is a welcome in a country that is special to us … we feel here like it is our home," Pavel said. "So, thank you for this welcome. We look forward to hearing about our special relationship and seeing what you do."

During the two-hour visit, Pavel received briefings on the Nebraska National Guard's recent engagements with the Czech Armed Forces and planned future collaborations. He also learned more about joint training in areas including cyber defense and aerial refueling.

Following the briefings, Pavel and the delegation toured a Nebraska Air National Guard KC-135R Stratotanker assigned to the Lincoln-based 155th Air Refueling Wing and two Nebraska Army National Guard helicopters assigned to Army Aviation Support Facility No. 1 in Lincoln.

Strong said the visit highlighted the importance of the work Nebraska Army and Air National Guard members continue to conduct with the Czech Armed Forces.

"This was an extremely important event because it gave us an opportunity to celebrate the successes that we have had over the decades of our relationship with the Czechs while also reaffirming our commitment to the future," Strong said. "We all know that we are facing an increasingly challenging and volatile world. As we work with the Czech Armed Forces and continue to learn from each other, we are helping each other build the capabilities that we need to best serve the citizens of our nations. We are clearly stronger together."

"Relationships are driven by shared commitments and shared motivations," Strong said. "This visit gave us the opportunity to reaffirm that we are committed and motivated to continue to evolve our partnership with the Czechs, which has been built upon a spirit of trust, respect and shared values."

Pavel later commented on the partnership in a social media post.

"The Czech army has been cooperating with the local National Guard for more than 30 years," Pavel wrote. "During this time, our partnership has expanded to a number of areas. Currently, we are focusing, for example, on training our pilots or exercises in cyber defense."

"The surprising information for me was that every fifth member of the local National Guard has Czech roots," Pavel continued. "I appreciate that our partnership has not only been maintained over the years, but continues to bring benefits to both parties."