By Kevin Hynes, Joint Force Headquarters – Nebraska National Guard

MAJURO, Republic of the Marshall Islands – In a significant step to bolster security and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) officially joined the Department of War’s State Partnership Program (SPP) during a formal signing ceremony held on Tuesday, Aug. 25, in Majuro, the capital of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

The new partnership links the RMI with both the Guam National Guard and the Nebraska National Guard, creating a unique tri-lateral relationship focused on mutual benefit and regional stability.
During the Aug. 25 ceremony, the official partnership document was signed by Chris Debrum, director of the Republic of the Marshall Islands Office of National Security, Brig. Gen. Karin Watson, adjutant general of the Guam National Guard, and Maj. Gen. Craig Strong, adjutant general of the Nebraska National Guard. The signing event was also attended by President Hilda C. Heine of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as well as several other key officials from both the RMI and the United States, along with international partners.

This agreement marks a major expansion of the SPP in the Pacific. For nearly 30 years, the program has successfully built relationships between U.S. states and foreign nations, fostering access and influence while enhancing military readiness and interoperability. The partnership will focus on key areas, including emergency management, cyber defense, and security cooperation.

The inclusion of the Nebraska National Guard brings a unique set of capabilities and resources to the partnership, complementing the Guam National Guard’s regional expertise and long-standing presence. This tri-lateral model is designed to provide the Republic of the Marshall Islands with a broad spectrum of support.

“This partnership is more than ceremonial, it reflects a shared commitment to build lasting capacity in areas that matter directly to safety, security and wellbeing of our people,” said Tony Muller, acting minister of foreign affairs and trade for the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Both Watson and Strong said their organizations, which have already begun initial talks, planning and exercises with leaders from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, are excited to begin working with their new partners.

“Today, we are not just building a bridge; we are reinforcing the deep, historic currents that already connect us across Oceania,” said Brig. Gen. Karin Watson, adjutant general of the Guam National Guard. “This signing today is not just a symbolic gesture; it is a commitment to our shared future. It is a promise that the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the territory of Guam, and the state of Nebraska will learn from one another, support one another, and grow stronger together.”

“Today, we begin an important step in establishing the relationships and the friendships upon which this State Partnership Program effort will be based,” said Maj. Gen. Craig Strong, Nebraska Adjutant General. “It is upon our shared values that we build what I believe will become one of the strongest SPP partnerships in all of the Indo-Pacific region… a relationship that will not only bolster security and cooperation, but one that through our combined efforts will help make each of us stronger, more resilient and capable of solving our common and our unique challenges.”

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen lauded the new partnership.

“We are extremely excited and proud to begin this new effort with our partners in Guam and the Republic of the Marshall Islands,” said Governor Pillen. “Although we may be separated by thousands of miles, we know that Nebraskans share many things in common with the citizens of Guam and the Republic of the Marshall Islands such as a commitment to families, hard work and the discovery of solutions to the many common challenges we face. I am confident that the bonds that are being formed between Guam, the Marshall Islands and Nebraska through this new SPP relationship will lead to many positive outcomes that will pay dividends for many generations to come.”

The State Partnership Program, administered by the National Guard Bureau on behalf of the Office of the Secretary of War and executed by state National Guards in support of U.S. geographic combatant commands, has connected U.S. states with partner nations since 1993. Today, there are 117 partnerships that strengthen military readiness and foster cooperation across government, industry and civil society.