Building Partnerships Around the Globe

The National Guard is "Always Ready, Always There," responding to disasters and other events at home, and ensuring the more than 433,000 Army and Air National Guard personnel are accessible, capable and ready to protect the homeland and provide combat ready resources to the Army and Air Force. Guardsmen also play a key role around the globe, partnering with nearly half the world's nations to advance peace and security.

The Department of War's State Partnership Program is managed and administered by the National Guard Bureau. The program links a state's National Guard with a partner nation's military, security forces and disaster response organizations in a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship.

What began with 13 partnerships in 1993 has grown to 117 nations participating as of 2026.

More about the State Partnership Program

The innovative, cost-effective, flexible, small-footprint State Partnership Program:

• Supports combatant commands, U.S. embassies and partner nation objectives
• Builds defense capability and capacity
• Improves interoperability and enhances U.S. access and influence
• Increases readiness of U.S. and partner forces to meet emerging challenges
• Fosters enduring personal and institutional relationships

State Partnership Program Activities

Tailored approach examples:

• Senior leader engagements
• Subject matter expert exchanges
• Familiarization visits
• Cooperative training and exercises
• Co-deployments

Focus area examples:

• Disaster and emergency response
• Leader, staff, officer and noncommissioned officer development
• Aviation operations, maintenance and safety
• Cyber defense and communications security
• Infantry tactics
• Engineer activities
• Counterterrorism
• Military medical