Missouri Guardsman interprets for SPP partner

By Senior Airman Jessica Donnelly
Missouri National Guard

(5/1/10) -- Staff Sgt. Herastico Pitty-Diaz, a member of the 131st Bomb Wing Security Forces Squadron here, is using his other skills as a Panamanian translator with the State Partnership Program. He has worked with the program for almost two years. "I overheard somebody talking about the program and I made some phone calls to get into it," he said.

Pitty-Diaz is a great asset to the State Partnership Program, because he is originally from Panama, said Lt. Col. Rebecca Segovia-Johnson, Missouri State Partnership Program director.

They have other Spanish-speaking members within the program, but since there are so many different dialects of the language, having someone who is able to speak with the Panamanian counterparts without any trouble makes a great contribution to the mission, she said.

He is also able to help navigate the area when the program members visit Panama since the roads aren't very well marked and he is familiar with some of the areas.

Another positive feature Pitty-Diaz brings to the program is his willingness to put forth the effort, said Segovia-Johnson. Not only did he voluntarily seek out this position, but when the topic that he will be translating between the Missourians and Panamanians is out of his realm he will take the time to study the briefings beforehand.

"He is very quick on his feet," said Segovia-Johnson. "And with his SF background, he also has the situational awareness we need when we're in another country."

There are 62 foreign countries partnered with states in the State Partnership Program. The program works to provide subject matter experts who have capabilities to share with Panamanian forces and vice versa, said Segovia-Johnson.

Depending on the mission, Panamanians may come to Missouri to learn new skills, or Missourians will visit Panama.

"We have a real purpose to help each other be successful," added Segovia-Johnson.

One of the most recent State Partnership Program missions, where Sergeant Pitty-Diaz worked as a translator, was Panamanian representatives visiting the Missouri National Guard Counterdrug Drug Demand Reduction Program to learn new ways to present drug education to their youth, and teach the Missouri National Guard new techniques as well.

"He has been very valuable to the State Partnership Program," said Segovia-Johnson. "He really does a great job for us."

Not only does the Missouri National Guard commend Pitty-Diaz on the work he does with the program, but the Panamanian forces also acknowledge how far he has come. He has been featured in multiple newspaper articles during his visits to Panama.

"They feel proud to see someone from their country come back and do good things," said Pitty-Diaz.