An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Aug. 15, 2024

Washington National Guard, Thai Airmen Strengthen Ties

By Joseph Siemandel, Joint Force Headquarters - Washington National Guard

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - The Washington Air National Guard, Pacific Air Forces and Royal Thai Air Force wrapped up the 11th Airman-to-Airman talks at Camp Murray Aug. 8.

“It’s been a great week and always nice to spend time with old friends and make new ones,” said Brig. Gen. Ken Borchers, commander, Washington ANG. “Having been through a number of these Airman-to-Airman talks, we’ve found some very achievable goals and will work to complete them together.”

The talks focused on air mobility, interoperability and U.S. Space Force programs. Participants visited the Western Air Defense Sector, 143rd Cyber Operations Squadron, 116th Air Support Operations Squadron and the Joint Operations Center on Camp Murray.

“PACAF understands the immense benefit gained from learning from our partners,” said Air Vice Marshal Carl Newman, PACAF deputy commander. “The relationships between PACAF, the Washington Air National Guard and the Royal Thai Air Force strengthen us all.”

Since 2002, the Washington National Guard and the Royal Thai Armed Forces have benefited from a relationship through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program. This year marks the 191st year the Kingdom of Thailand and the United States have been military allies and economic partners.

“From the U.S. perspective, Thailand is an incredibly important and key ally,” Newman said.

Air Marshal Krisda Supich, deputy chief of Air Staff for Operations with the Royal Thai Air Force, echoed the sentiments.

“Our goal is to grow our relationships stronger and stronger with the Washington Air National Guard,” Supich said. “These Airman-to-Airman talks will help us increase our exercise capabilities and will be able to take information back to expand those abilities. I feel we came to Washington and accomplished everything that we wanted to do. We built a plan and it is one that we are excited about.”

The Airman-to-Airman talks will continue later this year.

“Thank you again for all your efforts over the week. They will move us forward with our relationships and help our respective countries contribute to the security of our region,” Newman said. “Your work is vitally important.”

 

 

Related Articles
Washington National Guard Soldiers and Port of Laem Chabang firefighters.
Washington Guard, Thai Partners Focus on Hazard Response
By Joseph Siemandel, | March 21, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - The Washington National Guard concluded an all-hazards-response exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, March 1-11 as part of the 23-year partnership between Washington and the Kingdom of...

Lt. Col. Khadidja Harrell, flight surgeon with 194th Medical Group, Washington Air National Guard, poses with other medics during the disaster relief and humanitarian assistance exercise Cobra Gold 2025 Feb. 26 – 27 in Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
Air Guard Surgeon Supports Cobra Gold 2025 Exercise
By Joseph Siemandel, | March 14, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Military members and first responders from seven nations gathered at the Disaster Relief Training Center in Cha Choeng Sao, Thailand, for Exercise Cobra Gold Feb. 26-27. Participants from the United...

Royal Thai Air Force Group Captain Nat Kamintra hugs a member of the 116th Air Refueling Sqaudron, 141st Air Refueling Wing, before departing Don Muang Air Base, Bangkok, Thailand, March 10, 2025.
Washington National Guard, Thai Air Force Strengthen Ties
By Joseph Siemandel, | March 13, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - The Washington National Guard and the Royal Thai Air Force deepened their longstanding State Partnership Program partnership during the RTAF’s 88th-anniversary celebration at Don Muang Air Force Base...