Photo By Nathan Rivard | U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Paul Dosch, exercise and plans officer, Joint Force...... read more read more
GRAND-POPO, Benin – A North Dakota National Guard Airman was able to return to Benin for an emergency management tabletop exercise, where he had spent the previous two years of his life as a bilateral affairs officer (BAO).
From May 12–16, 2025, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Paul Dosch was part of a five-person team—including three members of the North Dakota National Guard and two from the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES)—in a comprehensive tabletop exercise with more than 45 Beninese emergency management professionals in Grand-Popo. The event, called the Lignite Coast Tabletop Exercise, focused on enhancing disaster preparedness and emergency response using the Incident Command System (ICS).
But this exercise was more than just a professional milestone. For Dosch, it was personal.
As the former BAO assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Benin from 2021 to 2023, Dosch spent two years permanently stationed in Benin. He was the first U.S. military member to do so. During that time, he worked closely with the Benin Armed Forces (FAB) and the Civil Protection Agency to coordinate training, deliver equipment, and strengthen intergovernmental relationships. His efforts facilitated numerous U.S. equipment handovers, including critical personal protective gear like helmets, vests, and tents.
“I spent two years here working at the U.S. Embassy, building relationships with the Benin military and the Civil Protection Agency,” Dosch said. “It was very gratifying to assist with equipment handovers. Everything from T-shirts and socks to trenching tools. All non-lethal equipment but incredibly important.”
The State Partnership Program (SPP), under which this engagement was conducted, thrives on these enduring connections. Unlike active-duty rotations, the National Guard’s continuity means that many service members return to the same locations multiple times across their careers. Dosch emphasized that this consistency fosters a sense of familiarity and trust that strengthens both cooperation and outcomes.
“When Soldiers and Airmen come back for their 8th or tenth visit, they're not starting from zero,” he said. “There are handshakes, hugs, and conversations that pick up right where they left off. That makes a difference.”
This year’s tabletop exercise marked a new chapter in that partnership. The five-day event began with two days of classroom training on emergency response principles and planning. The following three days simulated complex disaster scenarios focusing on floods and wildfires to test coordination, decision-making, and communication under pressure. For Benin, it was also the first time its National Contingency Plan was put into practical use.
Dosch, now serving in domestic operations at Joint Force Headquarters, brought his institutional knowledge and deep personal relationships to bear in supporting the exercise. While the Beninese led the exercise themselves, Dosch and his team provided feedback and observations, helping identify strengths and areas for further development.
“We’re just observing, watching to see how they do things, and providing critiques when they ask,” Dosch said. “They’re very open to our input and interested in what we have to say. There are definitely resource differences, but the structure of how they manage incidents is surprisingly similar to our own.”
Throughout the week, Dosch also reconnected with many of his former counterparts, including civil protection leaders, embassy personnel, and local emergency workers he had worked closely with during his tour. The return trip was not only a professional, but a heartfelt personal reunion.
“It’s been a lot of fun to come back and see people I didn’t necessarily expect to see again, or at least not so soon,” he said. “It’s nice to have some meetings and lunch dates, and see people at the Civil Protection Agency who I worked with over the last two years.”
Ultimately, Dosch’s return to Benin reflects the heart of the State Partnership Program. A long-term and trust-based collaboration that builds the capacity of both partners. Attending the tabletop exercise allowed him to reflect on his career and previous work as the previous bilateral affairs officer.
“The two years I spent here were definitely the most rewarding and interesting of my career,” said Dosch. “To have the opportunity to return and continue building on those relationships is a real honor.”
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2025 15:51 |
| Story ID: | 498999 |
| Location: | GRAND POPO, BJ |
| Web Views: | 26 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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