Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 Download
 Details
 Share
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Guard Bureau Chief Promotes Partnerships at Defense Services Asia Exhibition By Sgt. 1st Class Zach Sheely,
                National Guard Bureau
 KUALA LUMPUR – Alliances and partnerships underscored the National Guard Bureau chief’s participation in one of Asia’s largest defense and homeland security events on May 6. Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, the Guard’s top officer, told international military leaders and officials at the biennial Defence Services Asia conference maintaining the international rules-based order requires a collective, cooperative effort. “Ours is a shared world, with shared challenges and opportunities,” Hokanson said. “We are not just connected; we are intertwined. And we must be united in the pursuit of security, stability and peace across the globe.” The CNGB joined Gen. Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman, Malaysia’s chief of Defence Forces, and Dr. Su Wai Mon, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya, on a panel to discuss emerging technologies—like unmanned aerial systems and artificial intelligence—and confronting non-traditional threats—like cyber, mal-information and disinformation, climate change, food security and energy crises. “As emerging technologies intensify and accelerate both the risks and opportunities before us, the relationships between nations—between allies and partners—have never been more important,” Hokanson said. In his remarks, Hokanson expanded on the Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program. What began in 1993 with 13 former Soviet-bloc states has grown to 92 partnerships with 106 nations that are paired with the National Guard of every U.S. state and territory—an enterprise the general describes as one of the most productive, cost-effective security cooperation programs in the world. “The National Guard builds relationships,” Hokanson said. “Those relationships bolster capability and capacity for our allies and partners, and we learn much from them. Enduring personal connections helps promote security, stability, peace, and prosperity. “There are so many benefits to our cooperation: stronger diplomatic relations, greater prosperity, advancements in science and technology, improved resilience in the face of adversity, and a stable, more peaceful world for generations to come,” he said. As part of the SPP, the Guard is linked with 17 nations in the Indo-Pacific region—an expanse that is home to half the world’s population, accounting for 60% of the global GDP and two-thirds of global economic growth. The United States' Indo-Pacific Strategy names this area the most dynamic and fastest-growing region on earth and an essential driver of America’s future security and prosperity. The SPP pairing of states with nations is not random. Demographics, economics, and military size and composition are all factored in. Washington State and Malaysia have close diplomatic ties through substantial two-way trade and similar economic, security and infrastructure considerations. Seen as a natural, mutually beneficial fit, Malaysia and the Washington National Guard formalized an SPP agreement in 2017. Focus areas incorporate U.S. Indo-Pacific Command objectives: supporting maritime security, defense professionalization, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Washington Guardsmen and their Malaysian Armed Forces counterparts also work together in defensive cyber, defense modernization, maritime domain awareness through air defense sector modernization and interoperability of forces. Women, Peace, and Security activities began in 2023. 2023 was the busiest and most consequential year of the Washington Guard’s partnership with Malaysia and included several key leader engagements, subject matter expert exchanges, bilateral meetings and participation in named exercises. Earlier this year, the Washington Air National Guard and the Royal Malaysian Air Force signed a sister squadron agreement between the RMAF’s 320 Squadron, Control and Reporting Center 1, and the 225th Air Defense Group, Western Air Defense Sector at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Tacoma, Washington. The continuous, two-way communication and engagement enabled through the SPP contributes to providing INDOPACOM with access to, influence with, and insight from regional partners. Some Guard partnerships in the Indo-Pacific are nascent. Just last month, the U.S. Territory of Guam formalized a partnership with the Republic of Palau. Although Palau has no military, the SPP fosters a whole-of-government approach. Opportunities include exchanges in law enforcement and border security, cyber protection and resilience, medical and civil engineering community engagements, humanitarian assistance and disaster response. Other partnerships are more established. The National Guard of Guam and Hawaii have shared an affiliation with the Philippines since 2000 and the Washington Guard has also been paired with Thailand since 2002, to name a few. During his time in Kuala Lumpur, Hokanson, joined by Army Maj. Gen. Bret Daugherty, Washington’s adjutant general, held bilateral meetings with defense officials and military leaders from both Malaysia and the Philippines to sustain and enhance relations at the highest levels. The CNGB emphasized the shared priorities of prosperity, security, peace and a free and open Indo-Pacific. Hokanson fielded questions during the panel discussion on how—through security cooperation initiatives like the State Partnership Program—the U.S. can help ensure free-flowing global trade routes and why partnering with America makes sense to help fight food insecurity. “As we know, the whole world is interlinked,” the general said. “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had global implications to the supply of grain and wheat to other countries. Anytime a nation chooses war, there are going to be global implications. We all need to be aware of that and work to maintain peace. “When we see indiscriminate attacks on shipping, we all pay for that,” he said. “The insurance rates go up and the cost of shipping goes up. And for some countries, the difference in price could make all the difference. Anything we can do to promote peace, stability, and respect for international borders and laws safeguards the rules under which everyone can live as prosperous as possible.”
 SHARE
 PRINT
  CNGB
 Daniel R. Hokanson
 National Guard Bureau
 State Partnership Program
 Defence Services Asia
 SPP
 Kuala Lumpur
 
 National Guard Expands Pilot Child Care Program
 By Sgt. 1st Class Zach Sheely,
  Guard Leaders Stress NCOs Role in State Partnership Program
 By Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Pena,
  Hokanson: Nation’s Investment in National Guard Comes at Pivotal Moment
 By Sgt. 1st Class Zach Sheely,
  More
 National Guard Expands Pilot Child Care Program5/14/2024California Air Guard Rescues Man at Sea on Cruise Ship5/13/2024Oklahoma National Guard Helps with Sulphur Tornado Relief5/13/2024 View more Guard News »
 Georgia Army Guard Joins DEFENDER 24 Exercise in Sweden5/8/2024
Exercise Gobi Wolf 2024 Begins in Heart of Mongolian Steppe5/8/2024
Vermont Army Guard Soldiers Attend Brazilian Mountain School5/3/2024 View more Overseas Operations News »
 Kentucky National Guard Partner Ecuador Receives C-130H5/6/2024

North Carolina Guard Welcomes New Zambian State Partnership5/3/2024

Guard Leaders Stress NCOs Role in State Partnership Program5/3/2024 View more State Partnership Program News »
 Back-to-school tools for military families8/11/2015DoD sends blended military retirement proposal to Congress6/16/2015First employment symposium held for National Guard spouses5/11/2015 View more Family Programs News »
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil