News Release - Tag State Partnership Program

D.C. National Guard, Jamaican, Barbadian Forces Test Skills in Joint Caribbean Exercise
July 29, 2025 — Soldiers from the District of Columbia National Guard (DCNG), Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Jamaica National Reserve (JNR), and Barbados Defence Force Reserves recently participated in the Caribbean Regional Training Camp (CRTC) 2025, a joint exercise aimed at bolstering regional security, enhancing disaster response capabilities, and strengthening interoperability among the participating nations. The training, which ran from July 12 to July 27, took place at various sites across Jamaica, providing a realistic and challenging environment for the troops...

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...

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...