Brig. Gen. Michael L. Cunniff, right, The Adjutant

Brig. Gen. Michael L. Cunniff, right, The Adjutant General of New Jersey, welcomes 1st Sgt. Stephen Cosmanic at a welcome home ceremony for the seven Soldiers and one Airman of the Military Advisor Team (MAT) V held at the New Jersey Joint Force Headquarters, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Dec. 2, 2014. MAT V coached, taught and mentored Afghan National Army (ANA) units, served as the conduit for liaison and command and control and, when required, supported the operational planning and employment of the ANA. This was the last Joint MAT deployment with the New Jersey Army National Guard and the Albanian Armed Forces to Afghanistan to train that nation’s army. The deployments built on the State Partnership relationship with the Republic of Albania in order to demonstrate commitment and strengthen the alliance with the Albanian Armed Forces enabling them to contribute to future NATO missions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen/Released)