PHOENIX — Governor Katie Hobbs commemorated a historic partnership between the Arizona National Guard and the country of Oman this week in an effort to support the Arizona National Guard’s goal to strengthen their network of security for our state and country. As the Governor and Commander in Chief of the Arizona National Guard, Governor Hobbs participated in a formal signing ceremony of this partnership in Muscat, Oman alongside the Sultanate of Oman. 

The State Partnership Program is frequently seen as a military-to-military relationship, but it will also offer Arizona an opportunity to grow and strengthen water conservation, energy, border security, and research institutions  through this partnership.These partnerships allow Arizona’s National Guard to learn from countries, and in those interactions, bring back new information and skills to make our organizations better.

“The State of Arizona is grateful for the Omani hospitality and the privilege to work with the Sultan’s Armed Forces,” said Governor Katie Hobbs.  “This partnership is grounded in our Arizona National Guard military relationship but expands to other sectors of the government bringing valuable interoperability opportunities for both countries.”

The Governor met with a variety of Omani officials during her visit, including the Secretary General, Ministry of Defense - His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zaabi, as well as the US Ambassador to Oman, Leslie Tsou and Colonel Pung. The Governor also toured the Grand Mosque and the National Museum and visited The American International School Muscat  where  she answered questions from 8th, 11th, and 12th graders about issues facing Arizona, our border, as well as about the Governor’s own path to office.

This partnership began on October 13, 2022 through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, and the Arizona National Guard has had the same partnership with the Republic of Kazakhstan since 1993.