West Virginia Guard, Qatar Military Leaders Elevate Partnership

DOHA, Qatar - West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General James "Jim" Seward traveled to Doha, Qatar, this week to meet with Qatar Armed Forces counterparts as part of a series of key leader engagements designed to reinforce and elevate the relationships built between the militaries since their Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program pairing was formalized in 2018.

"Qatar has been an anchor of U.S. friendship and presence in the region," Seward said. "West Virginia is honored to champion bilateral and multilateral priority efforts for our two nations as we share a common interest in prevailing against complex regional security challenges and increasing interoperability on a global stage."

While the talks marked the first visit to Qatar for Seward, who was appointed West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General in February, he previously hosted Qatar National Service Academy military leaders in May at Joint Forces Headquarters and Camp Dawson, West Virginia.

During that visit, the West Virginia National Guard provided Brig. Gen. Salem Al Hababi, Qatar National Service Academy commander, with a full-spectrum capabilities brief, training area tour and planning sessions for future joint training endeavors. Leadership of the Qatar National Service Academy returned the hospitality on Sept. 16 with a tour of the academy and demonstrations of its capabilities.

At the invitation of Qatar Emiri Air Force Commander, Maj. Gen. (Pilot) Mohammed Al Dosari, Seward and staff, including Brig. Gen. David "DC" Cochran, assistant adjutant general - air, visited Al Udeid Air Base for talks on desired 2026 C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster aircraft training engagements in West Virginia. Cochran was given a base tour of the Qatar Emiri Air Force F-15QA Ababil fighter aircraft facilities the following day.

"Al Udeid Air Base is a vital part of our state and national partnership and bilateral military cooperation," Seward said. "The United States has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Qatar here at Al Udeid for many years and continues to stand firm alongside them."

U.S. Airmen with the West Virginia Air National Guard's 167th Airlift Wing who are deployed to Al Udeid also welcomed a visit from Seward and Cochran, who praised the resilience and strength of the small contingent.

"It's rewarding, hearing the dialogue about the work that you've been putting in over here," Cochran said while addressing his Airmen. "The emphasis on mil-to-mil relationships that we've been developing over the last five years, it's showing up big time. You're part of that, every day."

The key leader engagements also included several discussions on future bilateral priorities, including continued West Virginia Air National Guard support in building capabilities that enhance Qatar's NATO interoperability and navigation of NATO's Operational Capabilities Concept program.

Earlier this year, elements of the Qatar Armed Forces concluded the Operational Capabilities Concept program's second NATO Evaluation Level. Participating units included a Qatar Emiri Land Force mechanized infantry company and a Qatar Military Police Force company.

West Virginia Air National Guard leaders also visited the Qatar Multidimensional Warfare Training Center, a NATO-certified Partnership Training and Education Center and the Qatar Military Police Force headquarters, where a West Virginia Air National Guard contingent also was conducting a Subject Matter Expert Exchange focused on military police integration of communication, movement and equipment needed for counterterrorism operations.

"We are grateful for Qatar's continued support for and hosting of U.S. forces, particularly our West Virginia National Guard, both long-term at Al Udeid and for training and planning trips as part of our National Guard State Partnership Program," Seward said.

"While the travel across the globe isn't always smooth, the personal relationships we build and opportunities for cultural, social and economic partnerships make every mile worth it," he said. "Qatari hospitality is second to none."

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