NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited the Iowa National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters for the first time, during a visit attended by U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew G. Whitaker.
Images released by the Iowa National Guard show Rutte walking past a display featuring Albanian-themed artifacts, including a figure depicting legendary Kosovo Liberation Army commander Adem Jashari.
The display also includes other Albanian and Kosovo-related items, including a traditional plis hat, what appears to be a piece of Trepça stone, as well as photographs and various objects from Kosovo.
According to a statement published by the Iowa National Guard, discussions during the visit focused on Iowa’s long-standing State Partnership Program with Kosovo and the Kosovo Security Force (KSF).
“The discussion focused on the longstanding relationship between Iowa’s State Partnership Program with Kosovo and the Kosovo Security Force, including KSF capabilities, interoperability and the continued development of this partnership,” the Iowa National Guard said.
The statement noted that for more than a decade, Iowa Army and Air National Guard personnel have trained and worked alongside members of the Kosovo Security Force, building relationships based on trust, shared experience and a commitment to regional security.
Members of the Iowa National Guard have also contributed to NATO exercises and missions, including the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission in Kosovo.
“Today’s visit was an exceptional opportunity to showcase how the partnership between Iowa and Kosovo continues to develop, as well as how the work being done in Iowa can have an impact far beyond the borders of this state,” the Iowa National Guard said.
Rutte’s visit was part of his wider trip to Iowa and focused on the state’s role in strengthening international partnerships and security cooperation.
During the visit, Rutte and Ambassador Whitaker met with senior Iowa National Guard leaders, including Major General Stephen Osborn; Command Sergeant Major Matthew Strasser, the command’s senior enlisted leader; Brigadier General Mark Kappelmann, Director of the Joint Staff; and Kerri Lewers, Director of the State Partnership Program.
The Iowa National Guard concluded its statement with the message: “Partners today. Stronger together for tomorrow.”
