NMNG, Costa Rica continue State Partnership Program

Story and photos courtesy of Capt. Adrian Mateos, NM International Affairs Specialist

GUAPILES, COSTA RICA – The New Mexico National Guard sent six members (four Army and two Air) here April 19-23, 2021, as part of the continuing State Partnership Program between Costa Rica and New Mexico.

Topics included Army and Air doctrine, servant leadership, and troop leading procedures. The agenda emphasized each of the Costa Rican law enforcement bodies for all participants to review the mission, vision and current state of their organizations and the type of leadership required in their operating environments.

The event was valuable for the New Mexico National Guard because it reinforced its value as a State Partner. The mission also saw joint collaboration between Army and Air, resulting in an enhanced training product. The visit also provided learning opportunities for NMNG personnel who had never participated in SPP activities before.

The Costa Rica National Police Academy Commander and other strategic-level leaders stated that this may have been the most empowering and well-organized engagement to date and expressed optimism for the State Partnership future.

The NMNG served as a catalyst for communication and collaboration between all the Cost Rican agencies during the engagement, which enhanced awareness, contacts, and potential.