CENTENNIAL, CO –
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, August 29, 2019
CONTACT: Colorado National Guard Public Affairs,
ng.co.coarng.list.militarysupport@mail.mil, 720-250-1053.
CENTENNIAL, Colo. – Two of the most senior leaders of the U.S. Armed Forces will spotlight the National Guard Association of the United States 141st General Conference & Exhibition, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado, Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 2019.
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, The Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Mike Loh, The Adjutant General of Wyoming U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gregory Porter, and Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock will speak at the opening ceremonies at noon Aug. 31, in the Bellco Theatre. Miss Rodeo Colorado Kellie Stockton will escort them.
Conference business sessions begin with presentations by U.S. Air Force Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, chief, National Guard Bureau, and U.S. Army Gen. James C. McConville, Army chief of staff. Both generals advise the secretary of defense and the president as members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The Colorado National Guard, in coordination with the Wyoming National Guard, will provide military support to the conference. More than 4,000 NGAUS members from the 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia will gather to set the NGAUS upcoming legislative agenda. Distinguished visitors from the local, state and national levels will attend.
Most speakers will touch upon the conference theme: The National Guard: An American Treasure.
Other topics include the new National Defense Strategy, which shifts the U.S. military’s focus from terrorism and extremist insurgencies to inter-state competition, as well as National Guard space and domestic operations.
This convention has not been held in Denver since 1962.
The Colorado National Guard’s Alpine Guard Exercise will occur concurrently with the convention Aug. 27-Sept. 3 in order to exercise critical and distinct domestic operations capabilities.
Delegates from Colorado’s state partners Jordan and Slovenia will attend both Alpine Guard and the NGAUS conference Aug. 28-Sept. 1, to introduce them to strategic planning and coordination that takes place at the organizational and national levels of the Department of Defense in addition to showcasing the operational capabilities of the CONG.
Delegates will visit: the U.S. Army’s only High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site in Gypsum, Colorado; the Colorado State Capitol, the executive residence at the Boettcher Mansion, where they will a state luncheon in honor of the partnerships with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis; the U.S. Air Force Academy where several Jordanian military cadets are enrolled; and, Pueblo Community College, where the Slovenian delegation will meet with Pueblo Mayor Nichloas Gradisar and other community leaders of Slovenian descent.
Colorado has partnered with Slovenia for 26 years and with Jordan for 15 years through the National Guard State Partnership Program.
By linking U.S. states with designated partner countries, the SPP supports geographic Combatant Commands by building long-term relationships, improving interoperability, and enhancing military capabilities and the principles of responsible governance.