PNG, Wisconsin National Guard in new partnership

UNITED States Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu Erin McKee announced last Saturday that the Wisconsin National Guard had been selected to begin a new state partnership programme with PNG
as part of the National Guard’s programme.
“My first priority is to deepen our security partnership by increasing cooperation with the Government,” McKee said.
“The state partnership programme is a step in that direction and will forge lasting cooperation, friendship and a mutually beneficial relationship with PNG.”
The state partnership programme began more than 25 years ago and now includes partnerships with more than 80 nations around the globe.
Through the programme, the national guard conducts military-to-military engagements in support of defence security goals but also leverages society relationships and capabilities to facilitate broader interagency and corollary engagements from military, government, economic and social spheres.
The partnership programme creates a relationship in which states work with countries on a variety of levels via exchanges, shared knowledge and resources.
The Wisconsin National Guard consists of nearly 10,000 soldiers and airmen and represents a force with significant international and domestic experience.
Wisconsin governor Tony Evers acknowledged the partnership saying Wisconsin National Guard’s new partnership with PNG represented a wonderful opportunity for his state to forge a new mutually beneficial relationship and build a global connection.