The State Partnership Program (SPP) is a unique, mutually beneficial security cooperation program that is conducted in close coordination with the U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii. It encompasses three focus areas - military to military, military to civilian and civilian to civilian relationships. The military-to-military initiatives emphasize professional development for the officer and non-commissioned corps and offer a wide scope for mutual exchanges and learning opportunities between the partners' respective armed forces. Military-to-civilian activities include preparation for defense support to civilian authorities during times of natural disasters. The civilian-to-civilian relationships may consist of exchanges in areas such as domestic emergency readiness, search and rescue operations, scientific, educational, medical and legal visits and the enhancement of democratic institutions.
Hawaii and Indonesia are archipelagic entities in the Pacific that face common challenges such as the threat of natural disasters. The State of Hawaii Department of Defense, which includes the Hawaii National Guard and State Civil Defense, hosted a delegation of Indonesian military officials last month. During their trip, the Indonesian delegation had the opportunity to witness "Makani Pahili" exercises and to exchange ideas regarding defense support to civil authorities.
"I am confident that the National Guard SPP will not only enhance collaborative efforts in emergency disaster preparedness and response, but will also serve the broader purpose of expanding and deepening the friendship between the peoples of Indonesia and Hawaii," said Governor Lingle.
The State Partnership Program was started by the National Guard Bureau in the early 1990s as a way of fostering positive relationships with former Soviet republics and satellite states. It has since been expanded to the Asia-Pacific region to develop strategic links, bridging distance and cultural differences.
"Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, and it is in everyone's best interests to maintain stability and trade, both materially and the trade of ideas", said Maj. Gen. Robert Lee, Hawaii State Adjutant General and commander of the Hawaii National Guard. "How we build our partnership with Indonesia could have a huge strategic impact on the region".
Hawaii and Guam began a joint State Partnership Program with the Philippines in the mid-1990s. Two other State Partnership Programs in U.S. Pacific Command are Alaska -- Mongolia and Washington -- Thailand.
