▶ 0:15:37This hearing of the subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs will come to order. Welcome everyone. Without objection, the chair may declare a recess at any time. I recognize myself for the purpose of making an opening Good afternoon. Uh, thank you for joining us today to discuss one of the Department of Defense's most effective yet often overlooked tools of soft power, the National Guard's State Partnership Program, or SP.
▶ 0:16:01Since its founding in 1993, as a postcold war initiative, the SP has been instrumental in fostering close military relationships with foreign nations and allies all around the world. Currently, the program boasts over 100 participants uh throughout every geographic combatant command from Eastern Europe to the islands in the South Pacific. The state partnership program has helped the United States deter our adversaries, enhance allied inter interoper uh and promote regional stability.
▶ 0:16:31It is my hope that this hearing will demonstrate the global impact of this essential program and to provide subcommittee members the opportunity to have any questions or concerns answered by the subject matter experts we have before us today. However, as with most defense programs, this program also brings complexity and the opportunity for waste, fraud, and abuse.
▶ 0:16:50A 2022 Government Accountability Office report found that DoD and the National Guard Bureau face serious challenges in tracking completed activities and clarifying legal authorities to partner nations. While the committee has been assured that these issues have since been resolved and the the department has satisfied all GAO's recommendations, I'm curious about ways Congress can help continue the success of this program and help prevent any future issues.
▶ 0:17:16Additionally, I'm curious to hear from our witnesses how these valuable partnerships stay aligned with the administration's national security priorities as well as how successful outcomes are tracked and measured. Finally, we must assess the resources that are provided to the program. Currently, the SP's budget is just 1% of the overall defense security cooperation budget, but accounts for almost 30% of all geographic combatant command engagements with partners and allies.
▶ 0:17:43It is my hope that this hearing will bring to light the need for enhanced funding for the state partnership program and the vital mission it supports. I look forward to hearing from the witnesses today and I want to thank them again for appearing before us. I now recognize ranking members supermanium for the purpose of making an opening statement. Uh thank you Mr. Chairman and I appreciate all the witnesses um for coming today. Thank you for being here.
▶ 0:18:08Uh, the National Guard is a unique branch of the US military with dual state and federal missions. And I've had the pleasure of working with the Virginia National Guard in my time serving in Richmond and here in Congress. And I appreciate the great work that they do to protect our Commonwealth as well as the nation. And the state partnership program is a critical component of the Guard's global military readiness and America's partnerships around the world.
▶ 0:18:33And for more than three decades, the program has built relationships between the National Guard of every state territory in DC and a 100 nations on every continent, may even be more now. And these partnerships support joint training exercises and disaster response, humanitarian aid, counterterrorism and counter trafficking activities, and much more. And the Virginia National Guard currently maintains two relationships under the SP. One is uh with the Tajjagstan since 2003.
▶ 0:19:00Um, the jigan is a former Soviet republic and the partnership has helped both sides develop counterterrorism, emergency response and mountain warfare expertise as well, which has been critical. And last year, Virginia also finalized a second partnership with Finland. Uh, this builds upon a long-standing relationship between Finland and Virginia. Our troops served alongside each other in Bosnia in 2001 to 2002. And under this new partnership, we're focused on cyber threats, cold weather tactics, and much more. although we won't need those tactics in this weather today.
▶ 0:19:31Uh but this program is an important component in America's diplomatic efforts and these relationships have proven crucial and improving cyber security, disaster response, uh and even the war in Ukraine as well. And so I want to thank our Virginia National Guard as well as the National Guard around the country and thank the witnesses for being here today. I look forward to today's testimony as we look for how we can be helpful in Congress to the National Guard and to the SP program. Thank you. I yield back. Thank you.
▶ 0:19:58I'm pleased to welcome an expert panel of witnesses for today's discussion. I first like to welcome Mr. Christopher Mimo, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for global partnerships at the Department of Defense. Secondly, I'd like to welcome Major General William Edwards, the director of strategic plans and policy and international affairs with the National Guard Bureau. Lastly, I I'd like to welcome Major General Robin Stillwell, the agitant general of the National Guard in my home state of South Carolina. A special thank you, General, for being here today.
▶ 0:20:29Pursuant to committee rule 9G, the witness will please stand and raise their right hand. Do you solemnly swear affirm that the testimony that you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help you God. Thank you. Let the record show that the witness answered in the affirmative. You please take your seat. We appreciate you being here today and look forward to your testimony.
▶ 0:20:57Let me remind the witnesses that we have read your written statement and it will appear in full in the hearing record. Please limit your oral statement to five minutes. As a reminder, please press the button on the microphone in front of you so that it is on and the members can hear you. When you begin to speak, the light in front of you will turn green. After four minutes, the light will turn yellow. When the red light comes on, your five minutes have expired. And we would ask that you please wrap up. I now recognize Mr. from Mimo for his opening Thank you, Chair.
▶ 0:21:27Good afternoon, Chairman Timmons, Ranking Member Subraman, distinguished members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, this subcommittee on military and foreign affairs. Thank you for the opportunity to provide an overview of a vital element of United States National Security and Global Defense Cooperation, the National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, which we colloally refer to as the SP.
▶ 0:21:47It is my distinct honor to appear alongside Major General Bill Edwards, the director of strategic plans and policy, international affairs at the National Guard Bureau, J5 and international affairs, Major General Rob Stillwell, the agitant general of the South Carolina National Guard. For over 30 years, the SP has been developing and enduring relationships, increasing cooperation across the globe.
▶ 0:22:08It is a simple and yet effective concept pairing a state or territo's national guard with a partner nation to foster long-term mutually beneficial relationships while enhancing joint military capabilities and readiness in combination with other authorities. Today, the SP boasts a network of 115 partner nations strategically aligned with the National Guard's presence in all 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia. Working handinhand with the State Department and the geographic combatant commands.
▶ 0:22:35This extensive reach makes the SP a critical component of the United States National Security Framework. SP contributes to deterrence, increasing partner count's burden sharing capabilities, signaling a unified front against potential adversaries, thereby making America safer. Of critical importance is the SP's alignment with the Defense Department's interim national defense strategic guidance to achieve President Trump's mandate of achieving peace through strength. The SP directly contributes to the objective of ensuring partners can shoulder their share of the burden in our collective defense.
▶ 0:23:06In a mark of its evolution since the program began, it has gone beyond what was envisioned and even resulted in numerous co-eployments hinted at earlier with the National Guard soldiers and airmen deploying in harm's way alongside of our partners. The SP success lies in its multiaceted approach, fostering enduring relationships born of a shared understanding for mutual benefit. These partnerships extend beyond traditional military training encompassing disaster response, border security, and cyber defense.
▶ 0:23:33A key example of the SP's strategic impact can be seen in our relationship with Colombia, a strategic partner for the United States and South America, and instrumental in our shared efforts to counter transnational organized crime, narcotics, and illegal migration. This holistic approach allows the program to address a broader range of security challenges, build resilience, and partner nations. Additionally, the SP's brilliance in building interoperability across partners while supporting shared responsibility across the same is another hallmark of success in addressing global security threats.
▶ 0:24:04The SP builds more capable forces, helping make America's alliances and partnerships stronger. While the success and value of the SP is evident, it is paramount to ensure its alignment with president the president's America first agenda that every dollar we spend makes the American people safer, stronger, and more prosperous. Responsible stewardship requires us to consider an approach focused on optimizing existing partnerships and a strict prioritization of new partnerships to ensure strategic and effective use of resources.
▶ 0:24:31Deepening existing relationships and prioritizing partnerships aligned with key US strategic objectives particularly in the Indoacific is a crucial step to ensuring the SP continues to deliver maximum value for the American taxpayer. A key element involves allocating resources towards developing the most beneficial partnerships and facilitating the development of lethal capabilities when necessary for defending the homeland and deterring China. Such actions guarantee the SP remains a cornerstone of our national security strategy.
▶ 0:24:59This targeted approach allows us to capitalize on the existing network of SP and expand in key theaters while also freeing up resources for other critical defense priorities. To conclude, I want to acknowledge the vital role to this committee in ensuring the SP remains responsible and effective beneficiary of taxpayer dollars. It is important to demonstrate the value and effectiveness of our activities to the American people, and we appreciate this committee's dedication to holding us to that very high standard. The SP represents a significant return on investment, fostering stability and security around the world.
▶ 0:25:29Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to your questions. Thank you for that. I now recognize General Edwards for his opening statement. Good afternoon, Chairman Timmons, ranking me member Subramanyam, distinguished members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Military and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee. I want to thank you for allowing me to speak on behalf of the National Guard Bureau and in support of the State Partnership Program.
▶ 0:25:59I'm honored to sit alongside Dazzy, Mr. Christopher Memo, and Major General Rob Stillwell for this hearing. The state partnership program embodies a coste effective and collaborative approach to peace through strength. It improves security capabilities of our partners and the readiness of our units through face-to-face engagements and cooperative training. The state partnership program cultivates essential relationships with our partner nations.
▶ 0:26:30It improves interoperability and facilitates a shared responsibility to shoulder the regional security burdens of today's global environment. The state partnership program is an OSD program managed by the National Guard Bureau and executed by the states. It is done in support of the regional combatant commands security cooperation strategy and the US embassy's integrated strategy plans for the partner nations.
▶ 0:27:02The National Guard Bureau manages the program and resourcing but the states lead the partnerships and they are directly responsible for the success of those relationships. So, it is fitting to have the agitant general of South Carolina here to showcase the relationship that his state has developed with its partner. In 2025, the total operating budget for the SP is approximately $55 million.
▶ 0:27:29This allocation enables the execution of more than 1,000 engagements across all aspects of international civil military affairs. It has also supported the addition of eight new partner nations. The National Guard Bureau uses a resource a structured resource allocation model to portion the funding to the states based off their partnership plans that they develop in coordination with their partners.
▶ 0:27:55This allocation model considers the priorities communicated in the national defense strategy and the interim national defense strategic guidance. An important starting point for our discussion is the program's growth. What began in 1993 and with 13 nations in Eastern Europe after the fall of the Soviet Union has grown to 115 countries across every geographic combatant And there is appetite for more continued growth.
▶ 0:28:25We see interest from potential partner nations to join the program, from National Guard states, from OSD, and from the geographic combatant commands. In fact, we are in the midst of pairing eight new partner nations. This year, multiple states have submitted applications for the opportunity to be paired with these nations in a competitive process.
▶ 0:28:49The state and partner nation pairing process includes a rigorous rigorous strategic and comparative analysis based off the state's capabilities. And with commensurate resourcing, the National Guard has the capacity to continue to grow the program in support of the interim national defense strategic guidance. The chief of the National Guard Bureau, General Steve Nordhouse, testified earlier this month.
▶ 0:29:15He said, "We cannot overstate the value of these mutually beneficial security cooperation relationships that are built on trust and shared values." He continued to say that for less than 1% of the US security cooperation budget, the SP strengthens partner capacity, addresses security challenges, and enhances global I'm happy to to share that since the 2022 government Government Accountability Office report, we have made great strides in
▶ 0:29:45improving the timely reporting of our state partnership program activities using SOSM, the security cooperation program of record. Our organization has worked with the Defense Security Cooperation University to revamp the training course that we provide to practitioners of the state partnership program both in the states and in my international affairs This course provides clear guidance related to cradletograve reporting requirements and the process to appropriately pair section
▶ 0:30:15341 SP authorities with other appropriate security cooperation authorities. The state partnership program is a unique tool in the security cooperation toolbox. It is the only security cooperation program that delivers sustained enduring relationships with our partners that our competitors simply cannot match. Many of our agitants general have engaged with their partner nation's leaders including their chiefs of defense throughout their careers.
▶ 0:30:47I want to express my appreciation to Congress for their enthusiastic support of this program. It is an honor to lead a program that is so impactful in growing enduring security relationships on behalf of the United States. I am thankful to the 54 agitants general and their soldiers and airmen who work tirelessly to increase regional security across the world. It is my pleasure to sit before this committee and I welcome your questions. Thank you for that. I now recognize General Stillwell for his opening statement.
▶ 0:31:15Chairman Timmons, ranking member Subraman and distinguished members of the committee. General, can you pull the mic over? Perfect. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. I apologize for that. Distinguished members of the committee, Chairman Timmons, uh, Ranking Member Subbermania, thank you for having us here today. I echo the sentiments of my colleagues when I say it is it is a distinct privilege and honor to receive your invitation to testify before you today. I sit before you today as the agitant general of the state of South Carolina.
▶ 0:31:44And hopefully I can lend a state's pers perspective to this discussion and discuss the execution at the ground level of the SP program in South Carolina. We are privileged and honored to be partnered with the Republic of Colombia. Our partnership with Colombia began in 2012. It's an active and mutually beneficial relationship built on shared commitment to military readiness, regional security, and disaster preparedness.
▶ 0:32:14Our security cooperation agreements are executed in accordance with the Department of State and the Department of Defense directives, US Southern Command, theater, the campaign plan for US Southcom, our partners' intermediate military objectives, and the US embassy's integrated country strategy. Our efforts align with the pre president's priority of achie achieving peace through strength and the department's interim national defense strategic guidance.
▶ 0:32:41Areas of emphasis and concern include first of all regional stability. A stable and secure Colombia is vital to the security of the entire region. By integrating with and strengthening Colombia's military forces, the SP contributes to regional stability and protects our national interests. Second, countering transnational criminal organizations.
▶ 0:33:04Recognizing Colombia's role as a transit point for illicit activities and the presence of transnational criminal organizations, we actively collaborate with the Colombia military to enhance their capabilities in combating these threats. Next, strategic access. Colombia is a geographically significant location bordering the Pacific Ocean to the west and Panama to the north.
▶ 0:33:28As China persists in gaining a foothold foothold in commercial enterprise as well as trade and port management across the region, our strong relationship ensures continued access to and integration with Colombian military facilities and other strategic access. Next, engagements. On average, the state of South Carolina and the National Guard participates in 40 SP events annually.
▶ 0:33:54These events will take place both in the United States, in Colombia, and in other regions of the world, and involve multiple military organizations. By the end of fiscal year 2025, we will have completed 52 engagements, 29 of those in the country of Colombia.
▶ 0:34:12Our focus areas include rotary wing search and rescue operations, aviation standardization, which includes maintenance, safety and readiness, vertical and horizontal engineering, cyber defense, explosive ordinance identification and remediation, disaster preparedness, courtroom procedures, and professional military development.
▶ 0:34:37Notably, ladies and gentlemen, uh, our rotary wing maintenance and readiness initiative just recently paired with the Colombian Army and has helped to surge their helicopter rotary wing aviation readiness from 20% to 60%. Uh, a dramatic 40% increase since December of 2024.
▶ 0:34:59This success is a direct result of targeted engagements led by the US Army South and the South Carolina National Guard who assisted the Colombian Army to develop effective maintenance schedules, streamline parts ordering, and standardize operating procedures.
▶ 0:35:15Our planning for all of these events begins two years in advance with a series of conferences and bilateral staff talks attended by senior leaders of the combatant command, the embassy, South Carolina, and our Colombian partners. These recurrent events fuel an evolving five-year plan to identify, improve, and achieve US Colombian security cooperation objectives.
▶ 0:35:46I heard that coming. I'm good. Okay. Our exercises expand interoperability with Colombia. We work closely with Southcom, R South, and US Air Force's Southern to support a long and varied list of military exercises and events. For five years straight, we've supported exercise Continuing Promise, a US Naval Forces Southern Command hosted medical outreach exercise.
▶ 0:36:16Teams of 10 to 15 South Carolina Guardsmen, medics, and support staff serve remote communities across Colombia, evaluating and treating more than 200 indigenous people over a 3-day period. In 2021, uh, we embedded a Colombian platoon with our infantry for a grueling deployment to the joint readiness training center at Fort P, Louis, Louisiana.
▶ 0:36:40The year preceding that, we sent those same infantrymen to Colombia to conduct uh exercises at their chief training center at Talameda. Also, we were in the planning processes to send Colombian engineer units with our engineering brigade for a deployment at Operation Spartan Shield in Kuwait. And we hope that we can achieve that.
▶ 0:37:04As we meet here today, our 169th Fighter Wing is making final preparations to participate in next month's Rampago Four of our fighter jets and about 150 Swamp Fox airmen will participate in the Colombian Air Force's largest air and medical outreach exercise.
▶ 0:37:24Ladies and gentlemen, in conclusion, I want to emphasize the dual importance of this partnership, maintaining stability with the region and maintaining readiness, recruiting, retention, and relevance of the South Carolina National Guard. Our mutually beneficial relationship with Colombia allows soldiers and airmen invaluable career-enhancing opportunities to share experiences and participating in meaningful exercises in unique environments while building lasting relationships with our peers in the Colombian military.
▶ 0:37:55Ladies and gentlemen, as an agitant general of the state of South Carolina, my priority is to prepare combat soldiers to meet their federal mission set. And that is to deploy abroad and engage the enemies of the United States in combat and win. Anything else that I do as the agitant general of the state of South Carolina is a distraction. And I can tell you that if this program were not value added and did not enhance the readiness of my combat soldiers and airmen in the state of South Carolina, I would not be here advocating for it.
▶ 0:38:25So I can tell you right now, it enhances our readiness. It is value added to the readiness of the United States Armed Forces and the National Guard at large. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for allowing me to be here today and I look forward to answering any questions that you may have. Thank you, General. I now recognize myself for five minutes of questions. Mr. Mr. Mimo, security cooperation like the state partnership program contributes to regional stability and long-term prosperity both in the US and in partner nations.
▶ 0:38:55In a broader strategic context, how does sustained militarytoilitary cooperation through the SP help the US compete with adversaries like China and Russia? Thank you, chair. As you rightfully pointed out, the strategic importance of the SP is bar none. It is a peerless program that is a strategic advantage, a competitive advantage, if we use a little more business term clature here, that benefits the United States of America with enduring relationship building around the globe.
▶ 0:39:24Neither China nor Russia have a program that's even remotely similar and they certainly don't have the relationships to call on when that time arises. This is something that we see value in. This is something that I think makes a lot of common sense to the American people as President Trump always underlines and we have in the department as well. How does this translate to success in a common sense way for the average American citizen out there and the walls that depend on us to make sure that we're making the right choices and the right calls? And again, the relationships that we have around the globe through the SP process for over 30 years of enduring relationships is just one highlight of that example.
▶ 0:39:56I think we all see how China's using the belt and road initiative uh to try to create a strangle hold on developing economies and developed economies alike. Would you say that SP in addition to the IMF and World Bank are kind of our counterbalance to that effort? I would presume that the SP partnership predates the actual implementation of the belt and road initiative that we've seen over the past couple decades, not nearly the 30-year process that SP has been around the globe.
▶ 0:40:22So I would say there's a primacy there in terms of an equal footing of a partnership, shared responsibility, shouldering the burden together with our partner nations and making sure that there's a value ad for both us and our partner nations across the globe. I think that it wouldn't be too far to speak out that the BRRI initiative that China has been developing over decades now is something that becomes a little more predatory in process so that once a critical mass point has been reached, the tipping point is crossed and then the we'll call it the affected targeted nation at that point no longer has the ability to have any sort of equal footing.
▶ 0:40:51That is never the case with the SP. This is an enduring partnership that the United States takes pride in and we continue to develop it. Thank you for that. General Edwards, how do you envision the SP evolving over the next 5 to 10 years to meet emerging security challenges? Thank Thank you for the question, chair. I think we're going to take the lead from the national defense strategy that we have the interim national defense strategic guidance.
▶ 0:41:17Now, uh I know the administration is working on the uh national defense strategy uh as we speak uh expected to be published end of the summer. Um what I expect to do in collaboration with the geographic combatant commanders and their uh their security cooperation offices is to adapt uh the individual partnerships uh to ensure that we're meeting those those goals as as directed from the the higher guidance.
▶ 0:41:46uh and then and also support the readiness requirements of the the units that are involved in in the partnership events and agents general have a key role there. Uh the uh the department has a key role there and and my office my team gets to help coordinate all that with our partners in the geographic combatant command. So we'll take all of our guidance from from the department.
▶ 0:42:10It is an OSD program as I like to remind everybody uh and and we do it to support the geographic combatant commands goals. Thank you for that. Uh General Stillwell, you spoke about this in your opening statement. Could you elaborate on how the partnership with Colombia has enhanced the South Carolina Guard's ability to operate in joint or multinational environments? Of course.
▶ 0:42:31So we have the opportunity, we have uh the privilege of going to Colombia, of course, and training uh in very real settings with foreign militaries. Um they come to South Carolina and they do the same.
▶ 0:42:47So in any mission set that we have to prosecute in the United States military, it's just a series of standard uh of standard steps and that is mobilize, deploy, conduct sophisticated complex mission sets, redeploy, reorganize. And each and every time we have the opportunity to do that, every each and every time we have the opportunity to take some swings in the batten cage as it were, we get better. It increases our readiness.
▶ 0:43:16Having the ability to do that in a peacetime setting, in a controlled setting with a foreign military, not only army and air, but navy and also security forces. It gives us the benefit of being able to to work in that joint environment. Thank you, gentlemen. Uh with that, I now recognize Mr. Submanum for five minutes of questions. Uh thank you uh Major General Edwards.
▶ 0:43:46I know the SP program evolved from uh postsviet roots. Um well started from postsviet roots and how has the program evolved over the years and changed and what changes you think may happen in the Regime member thank you for the question. Uh I think how has it evolved? It's had it's had a steady growth over the the many years.
▶ 0:44:12the 32 years since since inception, that first uh grouping of 13 nations uh as as we both I think discussed earlier uh came from the the breakdown of the the the wall between east and west. Uh since that time uh it's it's continued to grow on average about five countries a year.
▶ 0:44:33Uh this year is a kind of a less current year we're in had eight new countries added to the program from all uh across the uh the world. Um if you go by geographic combat command southcom of which Colombia uh is is in that area of responsibility. We've got that's a saturated market so to speak.
▶ 0:44:56uh all the all the countries in the southcom AO are are in the state partnership program and aligned with uh partnered with a state um we're about uh uh 29 uh countries in the European uh and Yukcom area of operations um we've got uh 18 and uh Indopaccom and uh 25 in Africa so the opportunity to kind of expand the program into uh clearly the priority theater
▶ 0:45:27for the the administration is Indopaccom. We definitely want to support that. Uh and I think there's also an opportunity to grow the program again based off uh the the the department's uh priorities to counter China to counter our adversaries in areas such as Africa and uh the Middle East.
▶ 0:45:45So without identifying countries that that could join the program, I'd say we follow the priorities of the administration that starts in Indoaccom and everywhere else that China has uh uh began to expand its influence across the world and I think we can certainly match that uh with continuing to grow the state partnership program. Um yeah, thank you.
▶ 0:46:11And uh you know I talked to a lot of uh defense contractors in in my district and across Virginia and um they're saying that the future of warfare is changing right um it's no longer certainly not horses and bayonets anymore but no longer even tanks or ground troops as much. Um a lot of it is fought online u with the cyber security hacks and um you know offensive and defensive digital warfare.
▶ 0:46:38And so um is is the National Guard and the um SP is has that taken that into account? Are there any programs uh to look at the future of warfare? Absolutely. Uh that's part of what we do as we adapt our forces and part of uh and as you know the the global environment changes uh we adapt to follow that. Um you know I'll I'll cite the uh Virginia's partnership with Finland.
▶ 0:47:06I know there was a cyber exercise recently, collaboration between uh the Virginia National Guard and the the uh Finnish uh cyber defense forces. And I think what's particularly uh important about that and I'll uh I was once told that the you know from a a colleague in the Finnish armed forces that the cold war never ended for them.
▶ 0:47:30So they so that exercise uh focusing on cyber uh in the cyber domain uh happened you know on the doorfront of a potential adversary and in that gray space that hybrid warfare environment that uh I think describes the uh the situation as as you stated and and we've talked a lot in this committee about um again new tactics and warfare and so I know Tajjikiststan the the programs looking
▶ 0:48:01at mountain warfare. We've talked even about um drones and drone warfare. I'm curious what what other types of kind of cutting edge initiatives are happening in the SP and and how can Congress be helpful moving forward? Yeah, I I I think as as all our forces adapt to to the new character of war as it's as it's been called include, you know, the transparency of the battlefield which is what uh drones and unmanned aerial systems provide. uh we adapt our tactics, we adapt our formations.
▶ 0:48:31I know the uh the army is going through a big adaptation right now. Um all of our forces are are anticipating the changes that will be required uh in this new character of war. And so as we change, it actually helps our partners uh change with us. That maintaining interoperability with the state partnership program I think is key.
▶ 0:48:51Uh so whether it be through cyber operation, cyber exercises, uh unmanned aerial surveillance uh systems uh or or even uh ground maneuver with bayonets that because that I don't believe that will ever completely go away. But we will adapt the ratios of those uh those dimensions of warfare as as the situation requires and we will share that and leverage some of those insights that we gained from our partners.
▶ 0:49:18uh some of the as I stated some of our partners uh who are closer to the adversary physically than our forces are they have a lot to share with us. Thank you. Thank you. I yield back. Thank you. I now recognize a gentleman from Texas, Mr. Cloud for 5 minutes. Thank you. And thank you for being here and thank you again for your service to our country. I'd like to hear a little more.
▶ 0:49:43I appreciate the insight you've provided on the deployments, Colombia being an example and and what we can learn in drug interdiction and working with them and also the lessons and how they're applicable. But how often are do these deployments happen? What are some other examples uh in other countries? um how do you prioritize uh which mission to go to especially in light of you know u limited budgets?
▶ 0:50:12Um and and then what's on the uh the stop doing list uh as as you're looking for more capabilities with limited budgets may have to stop doing some things to to increase our capabilities in other So thank you for the question sir. Um, what I'd tell you is in our relationship with Colombia, I've always said that that our operations, our deployments, our engagements are really only limited by imagination and inclination.
▶ 0:50:41So, we're very active with Colombia. You talked specifically about deployments. Um, there have been other states and I'll I'll defer to General Edwards on those other states who may have had deployment experiences, but we uh we are sending again as I'd mentioned before perhaps and planning to send some engineering assets from the Colombian army with our engineer brigade. Um, we've also had again those infantry units marrying up and training together.
▶ 0:51:11And in a lot of instances, the way we determine who is going to train andor deploy with whom is really looking at like units uh with like mission sets so that they can marry up and they can prosecute the very same mission set when they get into either a training environment or when they get overseas. Um we I know and this speaks a little bit to the ranking members question as well, but we're talking about deployments.
▶ 0:51:41The cyber uh uh end of it is very active as well in Colombia. We have a cyber battalion in the state of South Carolina and we have had three engagements with the Colombians so far this year and right now as I speak we're engaging in our fourth. We've begun to speak with the embassy uh about perhaps sending some of our cyber uh personnel down there during Colombia's elections that are upcoming as well just to perhaps assist or advise to the extent that they may want that.
▶ 0:52:12So we're doing it continuously. If I could say the remaining of the time to get y'all y'all's perspective on that. Uh General Edwards and Mr. Memo. Did I pronounce that right? AB: Absolutely. And I I think you know Thank you. the uh the the the case study with South Carolina and Columbia is a good one.
▶ 0:52:31Uh I I get I get to read about the the different programs from from him and his his 53 colleagues from the other states and and one of the things that I would uh I guess offer uh from a comprehensive st point of view is the one of the great things about the state partial program is its flexibility and adaptability.
▶ 0:52:52And what I what I mean by that is the both the uh size of any given exchange or engagement to uh from one or two people conducting a a a shared uh subject matter exchange to entire units uh conducting a combined exercise together that that varies and we've got 54 uh states territories in the District of Columbia. We've got 115 partnerships.
▶ 0:53:18So you can imagine the the uh the number of combinations that would ensue but but and it's flexible, it's adaptable and and so they vary in scale. Um I think the prospect of a deployment a combined deployment came up uh that General Stillwell mentioned. Uh there's one going on right now.
▶ 0:53:38Uh the Iowa National Guard uh just completed a rotation from the Joint Readiness Training Center and a one of its state partners, the Kosovo had a platoon not only go through that exercise, through that training event, but they are going to co-deploy uh with the the brigade from the Iowa National Guard uh to the Central Command AO uh in in coming weeks.
▶ 0:54:04So that that's that's kind of on the high end or the large scale of of the potential combinations that could ensue and and varies all the way down to subject matter exchanges one two three four people for uh for 3 4 days to a week to two weeks.
▶ 0:54:21So it it varies uh incredibly and uh uh depends on again what what the geographic combatant command is trying to achieve with its security cooperation goals and what the uh readiness uh goals are for the units conducting the the exercise or exchange. Thank you. I now recognize the gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr. Lynch, for five minutes. Thank you very much, Mr.
▶ 0:54:47chairman and and ranking member uh Mr. Mama uh Major General Edwards, Major General Stillwell and uh the folks behind you. Uh thank you so much for your service to your country. Uh we really appreciate you and we honor honor your service. Thanks for being here and being willing to answer questions uh before the committee and help us with our work.
▶ 0:55:11Um, originally I had planned to address the refusal of President Trump to consult with California Governor Gavin Nuome and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass before making a unilateral decision to deploy the National Guard and the United States Marine Corps against the civilian population of Los Angeles. Unfortunately, uh, more recent events have now overtaken and amplified this same problem of of unilateral dictatorial decision-making by our president.
▶ 0:55:41I'm of course referring to President Trump's refusal to include Congress in a meaningful way on the decision to deploy US forces in a military operation against the Islamic Republic of Iran. I won't ask you any questions about that. it would not be fair to you. Uh you are not prepared to to address that issue. But I do want to get this on the record.
▶ 0:56:06Uh so this decision to deploy US forces in a military operation against the Islamic Republic of Iran where uranium enrichment, potential nuclear weapons development, and the custody of over 800 pounds of near weapons file material remains unaccounted for. I think a lot of Democrats and a lot of Republicans agree that should be the hearing we we are having. Well, the gentleman what uh not yet.
▶ 0:56:36What is also deeply troubling is the deliberate decision by the president to share less than complete information with even some of my Republican colleagues, especially senior Republican members, while completely concealing information and thereby misleading dulyeleed Democratic members of Congress who should have been immediately and fully informed. And that is different in this country.
▶ 0:57:00that that's a real departure from how we usually deal with moments of crisis in the country, especially when it involves our military. We've not seen that before because in the past from President Washington to Wilson to President Roosevelt to Eisenhower and Johnson to both President George H and George W.
▶ 0:57:19Bush and up until the present day, every one of those presidents, Democrat and Republican, has kept faith with the basic premise that on those very rare occasions when diplomacy fails and our national security is threatened and we need to send our sons and daughters into battle that we don't do so as Democrats or Republicans. We do do it as as a country, as Americans. We go into battle together, fully informed.
▶ 0:57:48That principle was abandoned last week when President Trump allowed spiteful and small-minded mentality to get in the way of a larger mission. And he divided this Congress and he divided this America, the American people, into those who were informed and those who were misled. He once again treated a very serious situation in an unserious way. We need to defend democracy. And remember, while the president is commander-in-chief, he is not a dictator and not a king.
▶ 0:58:18And Congress must be informed. And that decision to deploy US forces me must meet a higher standard. We owe that to our sons and daughters in uniform. And we owe it to their families. We don't want the US military acting on the basis of some alternate reality that has no basis in fact or on cooked up intelligence. And that has happened before. There has to be someone in that circle in the gang of eight who is not afraid to point out to the president that he might be mistaken.
▶ 0:58:47And to be completely honest, there is very little risk today than anything Trump says would be challenged by a Republican member because they seem to be unwilling to do so. In a press conference yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Ton could not even answer basic questions about the attacks because he had not been fully informed.
▶ 0:59:06In fact, it became apparent that he was more there was more communication between between Trump and the officials in Iran there than there was between US official elected officials in this government. At present, members of Congress only have access to Defense Intelligence Agency a afteraction battle damage assessment. And there seems to be having having read that battle uh damage assessment.
▶ 0:59:33There seems to be great difference, huge difference between what the president has told us and what the Defense Intelligence Agency says about those same attacks. Again, I don't want this to reflect on the current chairman of the subcommittee or or the current ranking member. Uh they do serious work, bipartisan work, and I and I greatly appreciate that because it is rare. But those were facts that I just wanted to get on the record.
▶ 1:00:04Mr. Chairman, I yield back. Thank you for that. I now recognize the gentleman from Arizona, Mr. Crane, for five minutes. Thank you, uh, Mr. chairman for holding this uh hearing today. Thank you to our panelists for coming.
▶ 1:00:19It's interesting interesting when I looked up to find out whether Representative Lynch, who just went off on the president for not notifying Congress, I couldn't find any public comments of him condemning the Obama administration for bombing Iraq, Syria, or Yemen without notifying Congress. So, I would just say if you're going to be critical, at least be Um, I also wanted to say thank you to you gentlemen for coming. Thank you for your service.
▶ 1:00:49My staff and I recently toured uh Camp Navajo in Arizona. We had a great experience out there and really appreciate everybody who represents and serves out there. Mr. Malmax, is that how you say it? Uh, Mammo, Mr. Congressman. Mr. memo. Based on the information I could find, it looks like the National Guard State Partnership Program supports roughly 25 African nations. Does that sound about right? That is correct to my knowledge.
▶ 1:01:19Yes. The program provide tactical training, correct? It certainly can encompass that. Yes. Do you vet or disqualify participants in this training or do you simply train whoever state departments send your way? Thank you for the question, Mr. Congressman. the the vetting piece is an interesting component of this and it makes sure that America's sons and daughters are in fact safe when we have these partnership engagements.
▶ 1:01:44Thank I'm going to read read you guys a list of National Guard units and their deployments. And I'd like to tell see if you can any of you can tell me what they have in common. Indiana National Guard deployed to Niger in 2017. DC Guard deployed to Burkino Faso in 2018. Michigan National Guard deployed to Sierra Leon in 2024 and the Wyoming National Guard deployed to Tunisia in 2004.
▶ 1:02:13Either of the generals, would you like to take a stab at what they have in Go ahead, Congressman. All these nations experienced military coups at some point after US military training. Niger coup in 2023, Burkino Faso coupe in 2022, Sierra Leone attempted coup in 2023, and Tunisia coup in 2021. Can we put up the image, please?
▶ 1:02:46That's uh US Army Captain Michael 2 on the left. Commander 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in support of State Partnership Program with Nigeria Special Forces Commander Brigade Brigadier General Musa Barmu Wright who conducted a coup in 2023.
▶ 1:03:05Obviously, you guys, I'm sure you're aware aware that the American people are getting pretty tired of some of our uh efforts overseas leading to volatility in regions like this. And I know that you guys are just trying to do your jobs. And when I talked to th some of you guys in my office just yesterday, I realized that you're good men.
▶ 1:03:32you're trying to serve your country and like when I served in the military, you guys follow orders like I did. Um, can you tell me what if anything are you guys doing to make sure that when you go in and train some of these uh partner states or countries, it doesn't lead to whoever you're training go going ahead and launching a coup.
▶ 1:03:57I'll start with you, Major General Thank you for the question, Congressman. I guess what I'd start with is our all our activities are in line with the geographic compatent commanders cooperation strategy. So we we take a lead from from them. All our events are coordinated with their uh international affairs folks, their security cooperation uh goals.
▶ 1:04:25So and they are the experts on the region. Um while our soldiers and airmen do have some uh experience, historical experience, uh all our activities and events are harmonized with the GCC. So in the case of I I understand that, sir, but does it feel to you as if at looking at the record that I just presented to you? Can go ahead. Can you poke holes in any of what I just read to you?
▶ 1:04:52With respect, congressman, the only thing I would offer is uh the state partnership program is one tool available to understand. I understand there are several other tools, but does it bother you that often when we send our units in to train some of these countries and partner forces, these partner forces often take the training that we're giving them and launch coups against their elected governments. I yield back. Thank you. I now recognize second. Can he answer the question? I'm sorry.
▶ 1:05:24What what I what I am certainly concerned about, Congressman, is a program that is designed to promote regional stability. uh and when there when regional disability may not follow that but as I would say uh not all factors are SP isn't the sole factor that uh may contribute to that.
▶ 1:05:52I would that's all I'd say in response sir. Thank you. I now recognize the gentleman for Virginia Mr. Maguire for five minutes. Thank you Mr. chairman and thank you to our witnesses for being here today. You know, we wouldn't have a country without our men and women who protect our freedom at home and abroad. So to all of you, thank you for your service. As a veteran myself, I see this as a way to continue service to our country.
▶ 1:06:18Uh the Virginia National Guard, by the way, has been in partnership with Tajjikiststan for over 20 years, 22 years, I think, and the relationship has benefited all parties and has resulted in shared subject matter expertise during 200 military to military engagements. Those engagements helped counterterrorism, deter violent expand emergency response capabilities, develop professionalism among leaders and staff, and promote shared values in national sovereignty and security.
▶ 1:06:46As of last year, Virginia is now partnering with Finland as well. And and General, I think you mentioned the uh cyber shield exercise in Virginia Beach. I actually was there witnessing 13 countries and uh it was amazing what they can do and I and obviously God forbid we need to have that collaboration. That was great. You know, one thing I when I was talking with the folks in Finland, they call themselves a frontline country. Um so I would say uh General, I'm sorry if I can't say your name right.
▶ 1:07:15Is it Um, why would they call themselves a frontline country? They they have the largest land border with the Russian Federation. So they they view that as their the frontier, their frontier. Yes. And Finland has closed their border ever since they joined NATO because Russia has weaponized immigration. And I believe that's what's happening in our southern border.
▶ 1:07:41And thank God we've got folks like you making sure that we can secure that border and keep Americans safe. Um, Major General Edwards, how would you describe the benefits that Virginia, the United States, and Finland may expect to see as a result of this new partnership with Finland? Thank you for the question. I I think I described one of the uh contextual benefits earlier. Uh, the fact that they're collaborating with a partner.
▶ 1:08:09uh they're that has that front line as you described that uh uh living in that uh in that hybrid gray zone space. I think that provides a useful context and an environment to help provide the realism needed for Virginia National Guard units.
▶ 1:08:30The only the other thing I would uh say is uh that uh I've heard General Ring uh talk about agent general for for Virginia is uh the opportunity to employ portions of the 29th Infantry Division which is uh between Virginia and Maryland uh to conduct Arctic operations and in uh you know even at the whether it be the command post or on the ground level uh in partnership with the Finnish uh military.
▶ 1:08:58So, uh, and I've, so those those are two vignettes, I guess I would offer, uh, that help provide, uh, readiness improvements for the Virginia National Guard. I just spent a day at Fort Picket with General Ring. I think he's doing an excellent job and he probably should write a book about the 29th ID. I think they have a a very storied, a very patriotic history. Uh, Major General Stillwell, the US and Colombia have recently had some disagreements and over deportation flights.
▶ 1:09:27Has this impacted your operations with them? No sir, it has not altered or amended any of our plans, any of our engagements. Many of our engagements are at the company grade uh senior field grade or excuse me, middle field grade levels. So those engagements have continued to go on uh just as normal.
▶ 1:09:52Um, we have not seen any appreciable change in the relationship between the state of South Carolina, Southcom or the or the Republic of Colombia. All right, I've got a question for anyone up here. If uh one of these partnership nations begins to work against American interest, is there a plan to sever that Thank you for the question, Congressman. Severance is not something that the SP has a mechanism for now because we've never had to use it.
▶ 1:10:21I can give you some examples of Venezuela which obviously is no longer a favorable nation and hasn't been for some time. What happens in those country partnerships uh Mr. Representative is they become dormant. So there's no more funds, there's no more training, there's no more allocation of American talent, treasure or material that flows to those partner nations and they become dormant for lack of that makes last question is uh for the partners that we do have and we have a good relationship. How is the funding? Do we have enough funding to do those for those relationships?
▶ 1:10:52Thank you for the question. The the funding I think is an issue where we have a true partnership specifically with the various components that we've already listed here before. But the funding is is a both sides of the coin type deal, right? We have some funding that we put towards capabilities. The partner countries have funding that puts towards capabilities. A highlight I think would be the state of Vermont and the the country of Austria where they both open separate but sort of similar centers. Uh sort of you come to visit me, I come to visit you and that's just a great highlight of what this looks like for actual burden sharing with true partnerships across the SP. Thank you. I I yield back.
▶ 1:11:23Thank you. In closing, I want to thank our witnesses once again for their testimony today. I now yield to Ranking Member Submanium for his closing Thank you. Um thank you so much to our witnesses for coming today and for all your work and all you're doing for our country.
▶ 1:11:37Um, I think the the SP program shows that uh not only are you focused on defending our nation and uh our states and uh you're also focused on seeing how we can be better all the time and using that collaboration and that diplomacy through the SP program uh to strengthen ties with countries around the world and um you know something was mentioned earlier about you know regime change.
▶ 1:12:05I think these programs have in pretty much every case predated quite a bit some of those regime changes. And just because the National Guard is there does not mean the National Guard was the reason for that regime change. I think what what's happening here with this program is we're simply um working with every country that's willing to work with us. And that makes sense to work with to try to um improve our own defenses as well as to work collaboratively with them.
▶ 1:12:31And um as mentioned um you know in another meeting uh with some of the witnesses uh these collaborations have ended in really uh important ties and even individual relationships that have been uh crucial to our diplomacy with some of these countries and around the world. And so I think it's a great program. It's something that Congress should continue to support. And um you know one last thing it's um not related but I think I have to bring it up.
▶ 1:13:00uh you know the recent events um in California with the National Guard uh being deployed there you know it was the first time in 60 years that a president has deployed the National Guard without request from the state's governor and it was unnecessary and escalatory and one of the things that really bothers me about that is you know you know our folks in the National Guard are doing their jobs and they're serving our country and by the time that they were deployed those protests had been under control And
▶ 1:13:30it was completely unnecessary. And what ended up happening was uh according to one report, troops reportedly arrived without lodging or federal funds for food, water, or other supplies. And it was unclear whether additional troops would stay or how enough portable bathrooms would be supplied. And only 300 troops were actually deployed and the rest were sitting unused in federal buildings without orders. And uh you know I think what was happening was we're making a political point when the president sent the National Guard there.
▶ 1:14:00And the upshot of it was it cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. I think one estimate put out $134 million. And so it's completely unnecessary and I think the weaponization of the National Guard and of our military is wrong and we should stand up against it. So I'll yield back. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We'll stand at recess for one second.
▶ 1:14:35Thank you. I now recognize the gentleman from Florida, Miss Luna, for five minutes. Hey, generals. How you doing, Major? Nice to see you guys. Um, first and foremost, thank you so much for coming in today. Uh, you know, I love it when we get lectured on the Guard from people that have never served in the Guard and or provide context. I'm just saying that not to ask you to respond to that.
▶ 1:14:53Anyways, um, I wanted to give you time though today to explain to me exactly the purpose of the National Guard and your mission because I think a lot of people overlook how effective the Guard has been, especially in mission readiness. Um, specifically in regards to there's been a lot of talk with Doge, but from what I gather, the Guard's been doing great, specifically with limited resources. We'd like to get you more, but being able to accomplish the mission at hand. So, I'm actually going to just give this to you, Major General. I have about 4 minutes and 21 seconds. Respond.
▶ 1:15:21Uh, Major General So, if you want to jump in, but this floor is yours. Thank you very much for the question. And I I answer this question a lot in our communities because a lot of people aren't don't necessarily know what the role of the National Guard is, but the National Guard is the combat reserve of the active army and the active air force. We have a federal mission set which is to deploy abroad and in the homeland and to engage with the enemies of the United States in combat and win.
▶ 1:15:49We are man-trained and equipped by the federal government for that mission set. We also have a second state mission set, a corresponding mission set which is to respond to emergencies, crises or other in catastrophes at the direction of the governor of the of the several states.
▶ 1:16:10And in that capacity, we are the only the only military organization that has that dual state role and operates under state active duty on for and on behalf of the governor and the citizens of the several states. So we are more or less the Swiss Army knife of the department of defense.
▶ 1:16:32We do a lot of things that other uh parts of the military simply can't do because of uh legal restraints uh and because of proximity. One of the great strengths of the National Guard is that our soldiers are in the communities and because they're into the in the communities, they have great support from the population. Um but they're also there and ready to respond in their communities when there is a crisis.
▶ 1:17:00So, I could go on for an ex for hours talking about the National Guard and our role and who we are, but I'll leave it at that, ma'am, and answer any additional questions that you have. Well, Major General Edwards, excuse me, they turned off my mic. Uh, Major General Edwards, I know that, um, I've actually had the privilege of talking with you prior to this hearing. Um, you have a lot of good things to say about specifically what the Guard has been able to do in regards to backfilling for active duty and maybe reserves.
▶ 1:17:29Can you please elaborate on certain programs and also where you need help from Congress? You'd figure this would be more of a bipartisan issue. I apologize if people made it partisan while you guys were being questioned. Well, I think General Stillwell summed it up quite well and especially with his in his position as an agent general who actually is responsible for uh the manning training equipment and of his of his formations both air and army.
▶ 1:17:52Um, so but if I were to just kind of maybe compleiment uh his his words, uh we are uh you know we're citizen soldier force. Over 80 some odd percent of our soldiers and airmen are they have a civilian career outside of of uniform. uh using myself an as an example, I worked at HP uh for 25 years before retiring.
▶ 1:18:17And through that entire time, I was a citizen soldier uh working at HP and also uh serving uh in the Army National Guard and and in my case in the state of Oregon for for those 25 years. You and I both were at Oregon, so former Guard member here. Excellent. Um just real quick, uh what would you guys need as if you could do a magic wand on an appropriation request to help the National Guard, what would it be? We only have about a minute left. I guess what I would what I would I'm not going to cite a number but I will cite predict predictability. Okay.
▶ 1:18:46Uh predictability and and coming back to the state partnership program which which I think is uh uh you know our focus today the uh the ability to uh plan uh properly plan and execute the engagements of the v variety that I described to uh uh Congressman Cloud earlier.
▶ 1:19:07uh that that requires time and and knowing you have the resources uh in in time to have that have that exercise or that event um is key. Uh so that predictability is is uh that would be the one thing I would ask for your help with uh uh representative to to uh ensure predictable funding. Got it. Okay. And then I just have one more question.
▶ 1:19:33So, I got badly hit with hurricanes this past um uh hurricane season and obviously we've been uh pushing really very hard with the Secretary of Defense for a Guard unit, special tactics squadron. I know that that's Air National Guard purview, but you guys are the guard. So, I just figured I'd ask you while you're here. I mean, since when has the guard said no to another STS unit?
▶ 1:19:52Um you guys are obviously in support of more funding and more bases, but would you support a additional guard unit just out of So I would be ill advised to answer for the enterprise at large. We're always looking for additional capacity. Being the agent general in the state of South Carolina, I'm very familiar with hurricanes. Um and what we find again is that we've been successful in working with what we have.
▶ 1:20:18Um if you come to me and you tell me I'm going to give you additional force structure and I'm going to give you additional capacity and I'm going to give you additional funding, then I would say thank you very much. Well, thank you, uh, gentlemen. We appreciate you guys being here. Honestly, it's been a pleasure. You guys make me miss the uniform, but I'm glad you guys are here serving continuously. Thank you. Thank you for that. I appreciate the ranking member allowing us to yield to Miss Luna. I now yield to uh the ranking member again for as much time as he needs. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 1:20:47I just want to just based on a previous comment um cite the an article by the former number two of the National Guard, Randy Manor, who he said, "I led the National Guard and regular Army units and using the military to intimidate Americans is 100% wrong." And I'll enter to the record with unanimous consent a Fox News article entitled by Randy Manor. I led the National Guard and regular Army units and using the military to intimidate Americans in one wrong.
▶ 1:21:16And and in it he says a lot of important things which is that by setting this precedent we're taking away our military readiness and we're instead using our own military uh against our own civilians, our own people. And so uh I think this is a dangerous precedent and I agree with Mr. Randy Manor that it is wrong. So I yield back. Without objection. So ordered. Um I now recognize myself for closing remarks. I I guess first law and order is important.
▶ 1:21:45Keeping property safe, keeping people safe is important and when elected uh heads of our individual states are unwilling to protect life and property. Um if the president wants to step in, it is his uh authority. He has the authority and I would argue the obligation to do so.
▶ 1:22:04Um, second note, as far as I'm aware, two Republicans disapprove of the president's um, decision to strategically bomb Iran's nuclear uh, capacity and has, according to the Iranian intelligence unit, set them back years, if not decades. 99% of the House and Senate Republicans uh, fully approved it and embraced it.
▶ 1:22:29Interestingly, about half of my colleagues across the aisle in the Senate and the House um agreed with the president's decision. And finally, in the eight years of the Obama administration, 27,000 bombs were dropped on seven countries. Um I could make arguments that the 2001 AUMF applied to some of those, but um I cannot make that argument for all. So again, I think my colleague from Arizona said it best. We got to be um consistent with our critique of different administrations.
▶ 1:23:00All right, back to the subject at hand. We talked about a little bit, but I want to expand on it. The National Guard is very unique in that people can serve for decades in a single guard unit. Uh my friend and mentor, General Butch Bowers, I think he's at 45 years. Um and you know, he's been to Colombia dozens and dozens of times. He's he's built bonds with uh his fellow officers in the Columbia military.
▶ 1:23:27And if you think about it, all the State Department officials, they come, they go, they're there for a year or two. Elected officials come and go. But the the military leadership of different countries and of different guard units lasts and those relationships last. And I think that's something that is extremely valuable that we can't get anywhere else. I mean, you know, even tours of duty for the military, you're there for a year, two, three years at most.
▶ 1:23:51So, the National Guard and the state partnership program is really one of the only areas that we build lasting relationships. We build uh the trust and the respect of our counterparts. And I think that that has immense value and that we need to um appreciate that and to continue to invest in it. I've seen firsthand the the value of the state partnership program in South Carolina. Um I'm one of four members of Congress still serving in the Guard.
▶ 1:24:20I'm a captain, most are very senior, but um you know, it is really just incredible the the as General Stillwell said, there are not many opportunities to have real world training exercises where you're going to be forced to go hours and hours away and engage in um real world training. And I mean, we just don't get this kind of opportunities in many other capacities and the bang for the buck is enormous.
▶ 1:24:48So, I think that we need to make sure that everyone in Congress appreciates the importance of the investment we're making. The return on the investment is enormous relative to the cost. And uh I will do everything I can to continue to prioritize um our spending on the state partnership program and expand it wherever possible. And gentlemen, I can't thank you enough for taking the time to be with us today. And I said 90 minutes and I'm 17 minutes early. So, look at that.
▶ 1:25:15Um, with that and without objection, all members have five legislative days within which to submit materials and additional written questions for the witnesses which will be forwarded to the witnesses. If there's no further business, without objection, the subcommittee stands