Virginia signs state partnership agreement with Finland
The Virginia National Guard formalized its partnership with the Finnish Defense Forces during a signing ceremony May 2, 2024, at the Finnish Ministry of Defense in Helsinki, Finland. The letter of intent, signed by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, Finnish Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen, and Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, officially recognizes the pairing of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Finland and the VNG as part of the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program.
Häkkänen hailed the partnership between Finland and the Virginia National Guard as a testament to the successful collaboration previously experienced.
“When we decided to apply for the State Partnership Program, it was in large part due to the good experiences of working with the Virginia National Guard in the past,” said Häkkänen. He emphasized the exceptional capabilities of the Virginia National Guard and the technological advancement of Virginia, highlighting the shared ethos of service by citizen-soldiers, as both nations boast significant reserve forces.
The Virginia National Guard formalized its partnership with the Finnish Defense Forces during a signing ceremony May 2, 2024, in Helsinki, Finland. The letter of intent, signed by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, Finnish Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen, and Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, officially recognizes the pairing of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Finland and the VNG.