DUSHANBE, Tajikistan –
Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Command Master Sgt. John Nye, the Virginia National Guard Command Senior Enlisted Leader, conducted key leader engagements with senior Tajikistan officials June 23 and 24, 2025, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
The engagements were conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Tajikistan have been formal partners since 2003.
The delegation, including Virginia State Sen. Bryce Reeves, met with Gen. Col. Rajabali Rahmonali, the chairman for Tajikistan Committee of Emergency Situations; Maj. Gen. Hussein Shokirzoda, commander of the Mobile Forces of Tajikistan; Maj. Gen. Narzullo Hisynzoda, deputy commander of Border Guard Forces of Tajikistan; and Manual Micaller Jr., the U.S. ambassador to Tajikistan.
During the visits, Ring and Nye engaged the Tajikistan leaders on several topics, including future military exchanges and training opportunities, including development of a noncommissioned officer corps within the Tajikistan Border Guard.
Ring and Reeves also presented certificates to Tajikistan troops who recently completed training on Harris radio systems.
Ring said the visit helped to bolster the already-strong partnership between the VNG and the Republic of Tajikistan.
“The Virginia National Guard values the continued partnership with Tajikistan in support of our shared security cooperation objectives,” said Ring. “Each exchange and KLE between the Virginia National Guard and the Tajikistan military forces supports our nation’s mutual interest in peace and regional stability. We look forward to further growing this mutually-beneficial partnership.”
In July 2023, the VNG and Tajikistan celebrated the 20th anniversary of their formal partnership in the State Partnership Program, which itself just celebrated its 30-year anniversary.
The relationship has benefited all parties, from sharing subject matter expertise throughout 200 military-to-military engagements that support counter terrorism, deter violent extremism, expand emergency response capabilities, develop professionalism among leaders and staffs, and promote shared values in national sovereignty and security.
Read more about the VNG’s partnership with Tajikistan at https://vngpao.info/4k3xhwfv.