RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who is currently traveling through Europe on an international trade mission, has announced a formal relationship between the Virginia National Guard (VNG) and Finland.
According to Youngkin’s office, the Virginia National Guard was selected as the U.S. partner to Finland as part of the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program. Youngkin took part in an official state partnership signing ceremony at the Finnish Ministry of Defense in Helsinki to commemorate the relationship.
“Now more than ever, it is critically important we build and maintain key strategic relationships to enhance security and provide new avenues for economic development, and I have no doubt the Virginia National Guard’s partnership with Finland will bring greater peace, stability and opportunity,” said Youngkin. “I know making this formal partnership a reality required tremendous effort and energy, and I want to thank our Virginia National Guard and the Finnish Ministry of Defense for their hard work.”
According to Youngkin’s office, the partnership is expected to focus on defending against cyber threats, information and intelligence operations, deployment in cold weather environments, military assistance, support for disaster operations and facilitating training for special operations.
“Establishing this partnership with Finland is a significant milestone for the Virginia National Guard and underscores commitment to fostering international cooperation,” said retired Maj. Gen. Craig Crenshaw, Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs. “This collaboration will not only enhance our tactical capabilities but also strengthen the bonds of friendship and mutual understanding between our forces.”
More information about this partnership can be found on the Virginia National Guard’s website.
