News Release

D.C. National Guard welcomes new Bilateral Affairs Officer to Jamaica
July 23, 2025 — The District of Columbia National Guard (DCNG) has appointed U.S. Army Capt. Chad Pickering as its new Bilateral Affairs Officer (BAO) to Jamaica, solidifying its long-standing partnership with the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) through the State Partnership Program (SPP). Pickering succeeds U.S. Army Capt. Aaron Lies, who recently completed a successful two-year assignment in the role... MORE

U.S. Army Capt. Chad Pickering, incoming Bilateral Affairs Officer (BAO), and U.S. Capt. Aaron Lies, outgoing BAO, speak with a Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) soldier at Moneague Training Camp, St. Ann, during the Caribbean Regional Training Camp 2025, held July 12-27 across Jamaica. The District of Columbia National Guard's (DCNG) partnership with Jamaica, facilitated by the U.S. National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program, promotes security cooperation through military engagements and interagency collaboration.

Celebrating 25 Years of Strategic Partnership: D.C. National Guard and Jamaican Defence Force (JDF) Commemorate Milestone
October 6, 2024 — Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (Interim), D.C. National Guard, welcomed Brigadier Markland Lloyd, Force Executive Officer (FXO), Jamaica Defence Force for a Commanding General’s Reception at the D.C. Armory, Oct. 5, 2024. The reception honored a 25-year State Partnership Program pairing and was attended by current and former State Partnership Program directors, the Embassy of Jamaica, city government and others who contributed to the quarter-century milestone... MORE

Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (Interim), D.C. National Guard, welcomes Brigadier Markland Lloyd, Force Executive Officer (FXO), Jamaica Defence Force; Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Michael Moulton, Force Sergeant Major (FSM), and Brigadier Ricardo Blidgen, Brigade Commander for the Jamaican National Reserve (JNR) during the Commanding General’s Reception at the D.C. Armory, Oct. 5, 2024. The reception honored a 25-year State Partnership Program pairing and was attended by current and former State Partnership Program directors, the Embassy of Jamaica, city government and others who contributed to the quarter-century milestone.

Special Operations Forces (SOF) SMEE: U.S. and Canadian Special Forces Forge Partnerships in Jamaica
April 7, 2024 — Members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard joined forces with elite units from the U.S. and Canada for a Special Operations Forces (SOF) Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE). The collaboration with SOF counterparts from the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, and Trinidad and Tobago, marked a significant milestone in international military cooperation amid the backdrop of Tropical Dagger... MORE

U.S. Army Capt. Michael Humphrise and U.S. Army Maj. Bill Seskey receive an island tour by plane Feb. 21, 2024. Members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard joined forces with elite units from the U.S. and Canada for a Special Operations Forces (SOF) Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE).

NCO development a ‘security goal’ as D.C. National Guard and Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) mark 25-year state partnership
January 16, 2024 — As a global destination, Jamaica is known for its culture, vibrant beaches, and robust tourism industry. It’s also a nation making investments to national defense and strengthening security in the Caribbean basin which entails placing the role of non-commissioned officers under a microscope... MORE

Sgt. Maj. Esmeralda Vaquerano, G-1 (personnel) Sergeant Major for the D.C. Army National Guard and Sgt. Jessica A. Frazer, Recruitment and Retention Battalion, D.C. Army National Guard are briefed by members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) during a State Partnership Program visit to the Caribbean Military Academy (CMA), Dec. 12-14, 2023. D.C. Guard members participated in an NCO Career Development Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) which included reviewing training, promotions, leadership, duties and responsibilities of NCOs with JDF’s Jamaica Regiment, Support Brigade, and the Martitime, Air and Cyber Command (MACC).