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\n The Washington National Guard welcomed a senior delegation from Malaysia as part of its long-standing State Partnership Program (SPP) Sept. 11 \u2013 13, 2025, at Camp Murray and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The delegation included Lt. Gen. Dato’ Nur Hafis bin Abdul Karim, deputy chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force. <\/p>\n
The visit highlighted the growing cooperation between the Washington National Guard and Malaysia, a partnership built through the National Guard\u2019s SPP that connects National Guard units with foreign militaries to strengthen security cooperation, interoperability, and people-to-people ties.<\/p>\n
During the multi-day engagement, the deputy chief and his team met with Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, the Adjutant General of the Washington National Guard. Additionally, they toured the Western Air Defense Sector and CyberSpace Operations Group facilities and discussed opportunities to expand collaboration between the two partner nations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an honor to meet with LTG Hafis again. We last met in D.C. last year when the Royal Malaysian Air Force Air Chief visited. He is the highest-ranking Royal Malaysian officer we\u2019ve had the privilege of hosting in Washington state,\u201d said Welsh. \u201cHis visit underscores the value of our relationships through the State Partnership Program.\u201d<\/p>\n
The past few years, airmen from Washington and Malaysia have expanded the number of exchanges on air defense and cyber operations. During the recent visit, the deputy chief and delegation received demonstrations and mission briefs to better learn what future exchanges can focus on and benefit both nations. <\/p>\n
\u201cThese exchanges with Malaysia truly are beneficial to both nations, in terms of building capacity and strengthening our relationships,\u201d said Welsh. \u201cOur airmen look forward to traveling to Malaysia to share knowledge and expand both nations abilities in today\u2019s complex environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before visiting the units, bin Abdul Karim and the delegation visited the memorial for Col. Hasnol Abu Hassan, a Royal Malaysian Air Force officer who died after experiencing a medical emergency in November 2021 while participating in an airmen-to-airmen talks in Washington.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnytime our Malaysian partners come here and want to visit the memorial, we are honored to not only take them but visit with them,\u201d said Welsh. <\/p>\n
The Washington National Guard has partnered with Malaysia since 2017, building enduring connections through military exchanges, subject-matter expert engagements, and combined training opportunities. The recent visit marked another step forward in advancing cooperation between the two forces. <\/p>\n
| Date Taken:<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 09.15.2025<\/td>\n
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| Date Posted:<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 09.15.2025 14:36<\/td>\n
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| Story ID:<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 548137<\/td>\n
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| Location:<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | CAMP MURRAY, WASHINGTON, US<\/td>\n
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