MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minnesota National Guard Marks 30 Years of Partnership With Croatia in Saint Paul

SAINT PAUL, MN (August 16, 2026) The Minnesota National Guard is commemorating three decades of military cooperation with Croatia during an anniversary program and formal dinner Sunday at the Cedar Street Armory in downtown Saint Paul.

The event begins with a social hour at 5:00 p.m., followed by a formal program at 6:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. The armory is located at 600 Cedar Street.

Minnesota and Croatia were paired in July 1996 through the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program. The initiative connects state National Guard organizations with partner countries through military training, professional exchanges and long-term security cooperation.

During the past 30 years, Minnesota Guard members and Croatian forces have participated in recurring exchanges involving Army and Air National Guard operations, military education, emergency preparedness and multinational training.

The partnership reached another milestone this summer when 66 Minnesota National Guard soldiers and airmen trained at five locations in Croatia during Exercise Combat Power 26.

More than 3,500 service members from 10 countries participated in the exercise from June 22 through July 1. Participating nations included Albania, Croatia, Georgia, Italy, Kosovo, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and the United States.

The exercise covered high-intensity operations across land, air and sea. Minnesota personnel participated in armored maneuver training, close-quarters drills, medical-response exercises, artillery coordination and tactical airlift missions.

Airmen from the Saint Paul-based 109th Airlift Squadron and 133rd Airlift Wing operated C-130 Hercules aircraft during tactical airlift and airdrop exercises. Minnesota crews also trained with members of the Croatian Air Force operating Rafale fighter aircraft.

Combat Power 26 marked the first time Minnesota mobilized both its Army and Air National Guard components for the same exercise in Croatia.

Sunday’s program recognizes both the institutional partnership and the relationships developed among service members during three decades of exchanges and joint training. Advance registration for the dinner closed July 31.

❤️ SUPPORT MINNEAPOLIMEDIA

STAY CONNECTED TO MINNEAPOLIMEDIA

Local stories matter. Subscribe free to MinneapoliMedia and receive independent news, community reporting and important updates from Minneapolis, the North Metro and communities across Minnesota.

SUBSCRIBE FREE: https://minneapolimedia.town.news/subscribe

MinneapoliMedia | Community. Culture. Civic Life