From 3 to 7 August 2026, a delegation from the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, led by Colonel Stojanche Kostov, Head of the Psychological Operations Section, J-3/General Staff of the Army, conducted a visit to the 3/124 Information Operations Battalion of the Vermont National Guard, USA.
The visit was part of a series of Mil-to-Mil exchanges in the field of information operations between the Vermont National Guard and the Army during the period 2023–2026, in cooperation with the U.S. Military Group – North Macedonia. It supports the Army’s efforts to develop a capability for sustainable information operations integrated with psychological operations, and other capabilities related to information activities.
The visit focused on the exchange of knowledge, experience and best practices related to psychological operations and information operations. Meetings were held with the unit’s command staff, as well as information operations planners and instructors, during which the participants discussed current practices, existing information operations doctrine and opportunities for future cooperation.
The delegation also had an opportunity to visit the Regional Readiness Training Center (RRTC) in Northfield and become familiar with its training and course delivery capabilities. The delegation observed instruction on the Tactical Information Operations Planners Course (TIOPC), which was being conducted in a virtual training environment. During the visit, a framework and preliminary plan were developed jointly with a team from the 3/124 Information Operations Battalion for the Tactical Information Operations Planners Course (TIOPC), which is scheduled to be conducted in North Macedonia in November this year. Discussions also covered future initiatives for developing information operations capabilities for the 2027–2028 period, including opportunities for training, education and the development of a Train-the-Trainer course in information operations.
At the end of the visit, the delegation was received by Brigadier General Matthew Brown, Director of the Joint Staff of the Vermont National Guard. On behalf of the Army, sincere appreciation was expressed for the continued support, excellent cooperation and enduring commitment within the framework of the State Partnership Program between the two countries.
The Army highly values the activities of the United States and NATO in the field of psychological operations and information operations and remains committed to continuing and expanding mutual cooperation in the future.
