Immersed in water, a Guardsman lifted a frightened-looking little girl over a flooded area to safety after a hurricane struck Mobile, Alabama, the hometown of Major General Mike Sumrall, National Guard Bureau Joint Staff acting director.

"This is the effect of the National Guard," said Sumrall when he showed a photo of the Guardsman's rescue during an adjutants general conference hosted by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) August 10-12, 2010, at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany.

The National Guard's expertise in disaster response is one of many skills they're sharing with African partner countries as part of the State Partnership Program (SPP), which was the focus of the conference that brought together state adjutants general, the National Guard Bureau chief, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs along with Africa Command staff and components.

State partnership is one piece of a joint approach to Africa that enhances U.S. Africa Command's ability to maintain enduring relationships to improve long-term international security while building partnership capacity.

The National Guard's SPP is an integral piece in building capacity in Africa, according to General William E. Ward, commander of U.S. Africa Command.

"It's really a big deal to me. I'm no stranger to the capacities, the capabilities, the talents, the skills, the experience, the efficacy that you bring to our joint endeavour. So we just want to capitalize on that and one way we do that is by spending time together and getting to know those…in more robust and meaningful ways. This conference is designed to do that. The value that we place on our state partners is sky high."

Eight U.S. states are currently teamed with African countries: California and Nigeria; Michigan and Liberia; New York and South Africa; North Carolina and Botswana; North Dakota and Ghana; Utah and Morocco; Vermont and Senegal and Wyoming and Tunisia.
Major General David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, summed up his state's partnership with Ghana in one word - success.

"There's absolutely no question in my mind our partnership which was established in July 2004 has been a great success. The strength of the partnership is really based on relationships, friendships, trust and respect."

Collaborations through the program have included a variety of efforts such as military exercises and peacekeeping operations, leadership, officer and NCO development courses, medical instruction and assistance, defense and democratic institutions reform, natural resources protection, economic security and university and education exchange programs.

Ward said the work done through the partnership program is vital and he is always seeking prospects for further cooperation.

"We look for ways and opportunities to cause the great skills, the great experience, your great soldiers and airmen to come and be a part of this noble cause and that is building sustaining security engagement through effective partnerships, relationships such that the continent of Africa is more stable than it might otherwise be," Ward said. "And that is in the best interest of the United States of America."