Embassy News

U.S. Adjutant General of the Nevada National Guard Visits Turkmenistan

PAS No 201
November 15, 2007

Ashgabat, November 15, 2007 – As part of the increased cooperation and growing U.S.-Turkmenistan relationship, the Adjutant General of the Nevada National Guard, Major General Cynthia Kirkland, made an official visit to Ashgabat from 6-12 November.  Maj Gen Kirkland discussed the Nevada National Guard’s ongoing cooperation in the areas of preparation and response to emergency situations, firefighting, and border security with senior leaders from the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the State Border Service.  While in Ashgabat, Maj Gen Kirkland also visited with Turkmenistan’s firefighters and had the opportunity to participate in an ongoing firefighting skills exchange between experienced firefighters from the State of Nevada and the Government of Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.  Turkmenistan and the State of Nevada conduct joint programs such as these under the State Partnership Program.

According to Maj Gen Kirkland, “Over the past eleven years we have developed such a strong relationship with the people of Turkmenistan, and through our cooperation we have accomplished much.  Through increased sharing of knowledge we all benefit.  I am pleased to have met with Turkmenistan’s government officials who are charged with ensuring the safety of the people of Turkmenistan.  As this is my third visit to Ashgabat, I am proud to say that this is a demonstration of Nevada’s strong commitment to its relationship with Turkmenistan long into the future.”

Maj Gen Kirkland also invited senior officials from the various ministries involved in responding to emergency situations to attend EXERCISE VIGILANT GUARD in Reno, Nevada in June 2008.  This large-scale, regional disaster response exercise will include over 3,000 personnel from the Nevada, California, Idaho, and Arizona National Guards, as well as from U.S. Northern Command.  Local, state, and federal resources, including the U.S. government’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), also will be involved in the exercise.

Maj Gen Kirkland is the senior military leader in the state of Nevada and top military advisor to Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons.  In the security structure of the United States, National Guard units play a major role in responding to emergency situations across the entire United States.