D.C. National Guard welcomes new Bilateral Affairs Officer to Jamaica

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U.S. Army Lt. Col. Angel Lopez Jr., senior defense official/defense attaché; U.S. Army Capt. Chad Pickering, incoming Bilateral Affairs Officer; U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (Interim) of the D.C. National Guard; U.S. Army Capt. Aaron Lies, outgoing Bilateral Affairs Officer, and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Smith Jr., Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) for the DCNG, stand outside the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica, on July 18, 2025. Maj. Gen. Andonie and CSM Smith visited Jamaica to discuss ongoing partnerships between the D.C. National Guard and the Jamaica Defense Force.

250718-F-KN692-2084.JPG Photo By: Senior Master Sgt. Jason Melton

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D.C. National Guard welcomes new Bilateral Affairs Officer to Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica - U.S. Army Lt. Col. Angel Lopez Jr., senior defense official/defense attaché; U.S. Army Capt. Chad Pickering, incoming Bilateral Affairs Officer; U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (Interim) of the D.C. National Guard; U.S. Army Capt. Aaron Lies, outgoing Bilateral Affairs Officer, and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Smith Jr., Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) for the DCNG, stand outside the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica, on July 18, 2025. Maj. Gen. Andonie and CSM Smith visited Jamaica to discuss ongoing partnerships between the D.C. National Guard and the Jamaica Defense Force. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jason M. Melton)

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D.C. National Guard Command Team Holiday Message

DC National Guard

Dec. 15, 2025 | 3:29

Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, Commanding General (Interim) of the D.C. National Guard; Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Smith, Senior Enlisted Leader; and their spouses deliver a holiday message emphasizing gratitude for service, readiness, and family sacrifice to the D.C. National Guard and Joint Task Force - District of Columbia. This holiday season, they encourage the entire force to focus on connection, gratitude, achievements, and progress. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Master Sgt. Arthur M. Wright)