Provisions for war from partners for peace

by Joe Prouse
California National Guard Public Affairs

July 28, 2022

SACRAMENTO, Calif.  – On February 24, Russia rolled its troops and weaponry across the Ukraine border beginning an unprovoked attack on its sovereign neighbor.

While the rest of the world watched in shock, the California National Guard, who worked with and befriended their Ukrainian counterparts, immediately got to work in supporting their allies.

The Cal Guard has a nearly 30-year strong relationship with Ukraine, developed from National Guard's State Partnership Program (originally called Partnership for Peace).

In response to the Russian invasion, Soldiers and Airmen at Joint Forces Headquarters created a team in less than 24 hours of more than 30 direct and indirect supporters that was dubbed the Ukraine Fusion Cell (UFC). 

"We were far ahead of other U.S. Government agencies standing up our UFC, that demonstrated the importance of our State Partnership," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Fritz Roggow, director of state personnel at Joint Forces Headquarters.

The service members working the UFC focused on facilitating information flow between the two governments and coordinating the donation of equipment and supplies to Ukraine.

To date, seventeen tons of body armor/helmets, nine tons of medical supplies and eleven tons of firefighting equipment have been sent to Ukraine. The UFC also provided provisions for humanitarian aid.

"When your back is against the wall, you truly know who your friends are, and decades of trust and relationship building from our top leadership to the Ukrainian counterparts ensured success," said Roggow.