CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia National Guard will become a partner to the country of Qatar under the State Partnership Program, U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis announced Wednesday.
The national defense department, along with the Department of State and the National Guard Bureau, approved the voluntary partnership, which allows nations to conduct joint operations and training with the National Guard. The West Virginia National Guard has been partners with Peru since 1996.
Lawmakers, including Gov. Jim Justice and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., met with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on April 12 regarding possible partnerships between the state and nation.
“This partnership proves what we’ve been saying all along, that the West Virginia National Guard is the most skilled and professional force and is known as the best in the country. I look forward to working with Qatar and to this new partnership,” Manchin said in a statement.
Manchin added the partnership will lead to direct investment and job growth in the state.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Rep. David McKinley released a joint statement Wednesday praising the decision.
“The announcement of this new State Partnership between the West Virginia National Guard and the State of Qatar is exciting news. The West Virginia Guard has played a critical role in our state’s disaster response and security operations, and have been a force to reckon with when deployed overseas,” McKinley said. “This new partnership will benefit West Virginia as we learn from their extensive natural gas and energy infrastructure programs.”
Capito, McKinley, Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., and Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., sent a letter in February advocating for the West Virginia National Guard to be selected as a partner.
“There is no other state better suited to assist the Qatar Armed Forces in developing its capacity. I look forward to helping West Virginia develop its relationship with Qatar,” Capito said.
Gov. Jim Justice said in a statement he looks forward to the West Virginia National Guard developing a “long and enduring partnership” with Qatar.
“We will leverage our National Guard’s extensive military capabilities to expand upon military to military, military to civilian, and civilian to civilian engagements that create mutually beneficial outcomes for Qatar and West Virginia. There are tremendous opportunities to utilize West Virginia’s proud military heritage and expertise toward regional challenges facing Qatar,” he said.