Topeka Capital Journal
July 18 2009
Gen. Bunting to travel to Armenia
Delegation to consult with Armenians
By The Capital-Journal
July 18, 2009 – 9:55am
Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the Adjutant General of Kansas, will travel in
the Republic of Armenia the week of July 20 as part of the Kansas
National Guard’s partnership with the country.
Bunting will meet with American embassy staff and Armenian government
officials to discuss how the Kansas National Guard can continue to
build on its six-year partnership. "Kansas has some of the nation’s
best medical, agricultural, bio-security and educational
professionals," said Bunting. "We stand ready to support the embassy
and explore additional opportunities to assist Armenia."
Bunting’s visit will focus on fostering growth in biosecurity,
agriculture development, education and law enforcement.
Accompanying Bunting are:
¢Dr. Martha Vanier, associate director of the National Agriculture
Biosecurity Center, and retired Lt. Col. Craig Beardsley, who will
work with Armenian agencies to discuss a Biosecurity Threat Reduction
Plan.
¢Dr. Fred Cholick, dean of the College of Agriculture and director
of the Kansas State University Research and Extension, who has
identified key opportunities for Kansas State-Armenia engagements
focusing on agricultural development.
¢Dr. Blake Flanders, director of workforce training and education
services of the Kansas Board of Regents, who will advise Armenian
officials on education strategies.
¢Maj. James Brown, operations officer for the Kansas City, Kan.,
Police Department, who will discuss strategies on issues of
international narcotics and law enforcement affairs with Armenian
police officials.
In 2003, Kansas and the Republic of Armenia were linked under the
National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program. The Kansas National
Guard works closely with the Armenian Ministry of Defense, Ministry of
Health, Rescue Service and other governmental offices and agencies.
Armenia, formerly part of the Soviet Union, is an independent nation
bordering Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia, with a land mass slightly
smaller than Maryland.