[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today participated in the official State Partnership Program (SPP) signing ceremony in Trondheim, Norway, expanding the long-standing partnership between Minnesota and Norway’s militaries. Governor Walz also celebrated the 50-year anniversary of the Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange (NOREX), the longest-running military exchange partnership between any two nations, at the Archbishop’s Palace. Prior to the ceremony and celebration, Governor Walz met with members of the Minnesota National Guard and Norwegian Home Guard participating in the military exchange. Governor Walz was hosted by Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway and joined by United States Ambassador to Norway Marc Nathanson; Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau; Army Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, Army National Guard Director; and Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Minnesota National Guard’s Adjutant General. Photos from today’s events are attached and linked here .

“It was my honor to meet with members of the Minnesota National Guard and Norwegian Home Guard and hear firsthand how critical this military exchange is to building trust, partnership, and mutual understanding with our Norwegian partners.” said Governor Walz. “I am proud to make this historic partnership official and look forward to working together to advance our shared values and security interests.”

About the State Partnership Program

The State Partnership Program has made tremendous strides since its inception in 1993. The program has grown from a small number of partnerships with former Soviet and Warsaw Pact countries in Europe into a program that spans the globe in contributing to the security cooperation goals of the United States and its partners. All 54 State National Guards have at least one partnership. The Minnesota Guard has shared a partnership with Croatia for 27 years, and Norway will become another partner through this program.

About NOREX

In 1973, Norwegian Home Guard’s Maj. Gen. Herluf Nygaard invited the Chief of the National Guard, Maj. Gen. Francis S. Greenlief, to visit their Home Guard. The partnership was established that year and the following year, NOREX began and remains the longest-running military exchange partnership between any two nations. The first exchange occurred in 1974, with roughly 40 Minnesota National Guard members and Norwegian Home Guard Youth. Since 1985, the exchange has increased in size to include approximately 100 Minnesota National Guard citizen Soldiers and Airmen traveling to Norway, while the same number of Norwegian Home Guard Soldiers travel to Camp Ripley, Minnesota.

Today’s events are part of the Governor’s four-day visit to Norway to strengthen Minnesota and Norway’s strong military and economic ties.