Madison Reporter

Wisconsin National Guard representatives recently made the trek to Papua New Guinea as part of a plan to strengthen members’ relationship with the Papua New Guinea Defense Force.

The gathering was coordinated under the guidelines of National Guard’s State Partnership Program and the two sides shared information on a variety of topics ranging from medical services to women's health and COVID-19 measures, according to WKOW.com.

Lt. Col. Derrek Schultheiss, director of the Wisconsin State Partnership Program, stressed that the two sides focused on areas that would be mutually beneficial to both militaries.

“I think that we have a lot to learn from their team, especially when it comes to preventative messaging,” Maj. Betsy Arndt of the Wisconsin National Guard said to WKOW. “It is important we both identify the most effective ways we can be useful to one another.”

In April, members of the Wisconsin National Guard also met virtually with partners in the PNGDF to consider military pregnancy policies and other challenges unique to women in the military, according to the report. Sgt. Saidi Dixie, PNGDF medic, stated there was a shared interest between the two militaries, adding that he would like to study midwifery to better serve the needs of his military and community.

The Wisconsin National Guard said upgrades are already happening through the Department of Defense's "Women, Peace and Security Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan," which ensures that women in partner-nations meaningfully serve at all positions in defense and security sectors, WKOW reported.

Spc. Samantha Struck, a combat medic with Racine, Wisconsin-based C Company, 132nd Brigade Support Battalion, was called on to aide soldiers safely search female detainees.

“This kind of training is critical for women’s safety and ensuring trust between the military and surrounding communities,” Struck said.

Arndt added that she has already seen the effect of a similar partnership with Nicaragua and is excited that the partnership with Papua New Guinea is off to "an amazing start."

The Wisconsin National Guard’s partnership with Papua New Guinea began two years ago and over that time the two sides have conducted multiple in-person exchanges and several virtual exchanges, according to the report.