Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds has been awarded the 2021 Inaugural National Guards State Partnership Program (SPP) Partnership of the Year Award.
The award was presented to him on April 27th by the Adjutant General of the Delaware National Guard (DENG) Major General Michael Berry.
The DENG and the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) were selected for the award out of 93 SPPs worldwide.
As part of the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), the DENG has been partnered with Trinidad and Tobago since 2004 through the SPP, which is a U.S. Department of Defense security cooperation program.
The award criteria are based on key leader and subject matter expert engagements, whole of government and society interactions, and academic exchanges, including Women, Peace, and Security principles. The handover of the 2021 award to Trinidad and Tobago was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At a reception hosted by U.S. Ambassador Candace Bond, she congratulated the winning collaboration saying, “As part of the United States Government’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Trinidad and Tobago, the Delaware National Guard and TTDF will continue to conduct military-to-military engagements, including interagency cooperation on disaster response, training, and educational opportunities which will benefit both our great countries.”
Other members of the visiting DENG delegation were Assistant Adjutant General Carl Danberg, State Partnership Program Director Timothy Hoyle, Public Affairs Officer Lenny Gratteri, and State Command Chief Warrant Officer Ronald Wilson.
Photo: Left to right U.S. Ambassador Candace Bond, Adjutant General Delaware National Guard Major General Michael Berry, Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds, and Acting Chief of Defence Staff of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Brigadier General Dexter Francis.
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