On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, representatives of the Maryland Bosnia and Herzegovina Exchange Council (MBHEC) Paul Hollwedel, Adnan Hadrović, and Emir Nurkić Kačapor met with Brigadier General Craig Hunter, the newly appointed Adjutant General’s Special Assistant for Strategic Initiatives of the Maryland Army National Guard (MDNG), along with his leadership team. The meeting underscored the ongoing collaboration between MBHEC and MDNG, which complements the longstanding military-to-military cooperation established under the State Partnership Program (SPP) since 2003. This partnership has increasingly embraced civilian-led initiatives, aiming to foster democratic institutions and enhance civil-military cooperation between Maryland and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the session, MBHEC leadership provided an overview of recent initiatives aimed at strengthening civic ties and mutual understanding. Notably, MBHEC highlighted collaborative events between institutions of higher education in both partnership states, including joint activities planned this summer between universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Yale University. Additionally, MBHEC updated General Hunter’s team on broader civic engagement and cultural exchange efforts that have significantly advanced the partnership’s mission.
In turn, MDNG leadership shared insights into recent developments within the SPP. They discussed a landmark logistics and vehicle maintenance training exchange held in April 2025; the largest Maryland National Guard event hosted in Bosnia and Herzegovina to date. This exercise significantly enhanced the readiness of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH) for participation in the Immediate Response–DEFENDER 25 multinational exercise. The MDNG team also detailed high-level meetings, including bilateral defense consultations with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Minister of Defense and Chief of Defense at the Pentagon, further strengthening military-to-military ties.
U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah HooverMaryland Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Drew E. Dougherty, assistant adjutant general – Air, is interviewed by a team of Maryland National Guard public affairs specialists and members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina media information team in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, April 4, 2025
The meeting concluded with a forward-looking discussion of future collaboration opportunities. MBHEC shared plans for its Annual Fundraising Gala, scheduled for October-November 2025, intended to bolster ongoing civic initiatives and exchange programs. Furthermore, the two groups agreed on MBHEC’s involvement in the upcoming SPP Civil-Military Flood Response exercise in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026. Both organizations also expressed enthusiasm for enhancing coordination across the broader SPP framework involving Maryland, Estonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina; emphasizing a strategic, multilateral approach to regional stability and cooperation.
This productive dialogue reaffirmed the shared commitment of MBHEC and MDNG to advancing Maryland and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s partnership through sustained engagement, fostering mutual understanding, and promoting democratic values through combined military and civilian cooperation.
