Chief of the Armed Forces Lieutenant General Benedikt Roos visited Colorado from July 26-29, 2026, to formalize the State Partnership Program (SPP) between the Swiss Armed Forces and the Colorado National Guard. The signing ceremony in Denver brought together senior military and government leaders, including Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Commander of the Colorado National Guard Major General Robert B. Davis, U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, the Honorable Callista L. Gingrich, and Switzerland’s Ambassador to the United States, the Honorable Dr. Ralf Heckner, to mark the beginning of a long-term partnership dedicated to strengthening military cooperation and advancing shared security interests.
The partnership, approved by the Swiss Federal Council in 2025, establishes a framework for collaboration in areas including cybersecurity, space, protection of critical infrastructure, medical services, and logistics. By promoting professional exchanges and joint training, the program enables both organizations to share expertise and strengthen their respective capabilities.
The Colorado National Guard is a natural partner for Switzerland. Both forces are founded on the militia principle, and Colorado’s mountainous terrain offers conditions comparable to the Swiss Alps. These similarities create valuable opportunities for cooperation in mountain operations, aviation, disaster response, and high-altitude training.
During the visit, Lieutenant General Roos met with Colorado National Guard leadership to discuss the next steps for implementing the partnership and visited the High-Altitude Aviation Training Site (HAATS), where Swiss representatives observed specialized aviation training in alpine conditions.
The engagement concluded on August 1, when the Swiss Defense Attaché to the United States, Major General Marco Schmidlin, attended the Colorado National Guard’s gala celebrating its 150th anniversary. Joined by representatives from Colorado’s other State Partnership Program partner, the Slovenian Armed Forces, the event honored a century and a half of service and the enduring tradition of citizen-soldiers answering the call to serve their communities, state, and nation.
The State Partnership Program reinforces the longstanding relationship between Switzerland and the United States while supporting the continued development of Swiss Armed Forces capabilities. Through practical cooperation and the exchange of expertise, the partnership strengthens readiness and resilience while remaining fully compatible with Switzerland’s policy of neutrality.
