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COLUMBIA CITY, IND. – Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Representative Jefferson Shreve (IN-06), and Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) traveled to Slovakia and Germany last week as part of a bipartisan congressional delegation.
While in Slovakia, the delegation met with Prime Minister Robert Fico, the Minister of Defense, and the Chief of Defense to reaffirm the critical role the Indiana National Guard plays in advancing U.S.–Slovak military cooperation. The partnership, one of the oldest in the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, has supported over 330 joint training exercises and multiple overseas deployments.
Banks and Shreve also visited Indiana National Guardsmen stationed at Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, Germany, where they are supporting key NATO missions and U.S. military operations in Europe. The visit highlighted the global importance of Indiana’s citizen-soldiers and their contribution to America’s national security.
Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “Over the past few days, I led a bipartisan delegation to Europe to discuss military cooperation and tariffs with European defense leaders. Rep. Shreve and I had the honor of visiting with the Indiana National Guard in Frankfort and joined briefings with the armed forces of Slovakia on advancing their partnership with the Indiana National Guard.”
Rep. Jefferson Shreve (IN-06): “The Indiana National Guard has partnered with the Slovakian Armed Forces for two decades. It’s one of the alliances that make up the National Guard State Partnership Program. Senator Banks and I met with our Hoosier soldiers on the ground in Slovakia. Our visit highlighted Indiana’s role on the world stage. I serve on the Foreign Affairs Committee in Congress. We held productive talks with Slovak Prime Minister Fico and Defense Minister Kalinak. Military alliances matter. I appreciated this firsthand opportunity to work with my colleagues and our international partners — as we work together to safeguard America’s global interests.”
The delegation received briefings on current and future joint efforts, including:
- Slovak Shield, a flagship annual training exercise
- Toxic Valley, a premier chemical training operation
- F-16 support, including aircraft delivery by Indiana pilots and collaboration with Slovakia’s new F-16 wing
- Cybersecurity cooperation with Indiana’s 127th Cyber Protection Battalion
- Combat aviation exchanges between Indiana’s 38th Combat Aviation Brigade and Slovakia’s UH-60M Squadron
- A growing Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) development initiative to modernize Slovakia’s enlisted leadership structure
Background:
The partnership between the Indiana National Guard and the Slovak Armed Forces began in 1994 through the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program. In 2024, it expanded to include F-16 training and support as Slovakia transitions to advanced U.S. fighter jets—an effort highlighted by Indiana Guardsmen from the 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne assisting with the delivery of the country’s first F-16s.
This new chapter in the partnership was made possible by then-Rep. Banks’ leading the push to transition the 122nd from A-10s to F-16s.
Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, Germany, is the headquarters of U.S. Army Europe and Africa and a key hub for U.S. military operations, training, and NATO coordination. U.S. soldiers, including many from the Indiana National Guard, are stationed there to support deterrence missions, rapid response capabilities, and joint training with allied forces.