Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Ariana Shuemake | West Virginia National Guard military police personnel engage in a Subject Matter...... read more read more
At the invitation of Qatar Military Police Force (QMPF) Commander Maj. Gen. Rashid Al Hajri a West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) contingent visited QMPF Headquarters in Doha, Qatar on Sept. 12-18, 2025 as part of an ongoing series of Military Police (MP) Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) meant to reinforce and elevate the relationship built between the militaries since their National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program (SPP) pairing was formalized in 2018.
"The U.S. and Qatari militaries are already highly interoperable, even more so for the WVNG and QMPF, thanks to our SPP," said WVNG Adjutant General James “Jim” Seward. "Visits like this build on our existing personal relationships to increase military cooperation and address shared regional and global challenges."
This is the 13th event between the WVNG and QMPF, and it focused on MP integration of communication, movement and equipment needed for counterterrorism operations. Three days of classroom training culminated with a practical exercise. The SMEE coincided with a WVNG Key Leader visit to Doha that included Seward, the
WVNG Assistant Adjutant General – Air, David “DC” Cochran, and Senior Enlisted Leader, Command Sgt. Maj. James “Dusty” Jones. This enabled several key leader engagements focused on future bilateral priorities, including continuing WVNG support in building capabilities enhancing Qatar's NATO interoperability and navigation of
NATOs Operational Capabilities Concept Evaluation and Feedback (OCC E&F) Program.
In early 2025, the Qatar Armed Forces (QAF) concluded the NATO OCC E&F Program’s second NATO Evaluation Level for land and MP forces , which included a mechanized infantry company and a military police company. The program aims to assess the level of interoperability of NATO partner units to participate in NATO-led operations.
U.S. Army Lt. Bobby Bailey, WVNG 863rd Military Police Company, broke away from the training to join Cochran for a discussion with QAF Brig. Gen. Ramzan Al Naimi, commander of the Qatar Multidimensional Warfare Training Center (MDIWTC), a NATO-certified Partnership Training and Education Center (PTEC).
While on deployment to Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Bailey served as escort for Al Naimi's visit to observe NATO KFOR Forces, including the 863rd MPs.
"Upon the Qatari visit, we got to go side by side to show them our mission sets," said Bailey. "We also ran through how a U.S.-ran base outside of Al Udeid operates and those details that make for a successful, comfortable mission for the Soldiers on ground; how we drive our vehicles, how supply and the armory operates, where religious services and prayer rooms are located and how we work alongside other NATO Nations and Partners."
"It was not us training them, or them training us - that part is done," said Bailey. "We now speak a common language and have moved to working side by side."
Al Naimi said that the visit was important to building a good rapport and trust while discussing all the “pretty” parts of a deployment environment - the good side usually shown during VIP visits. Bailey agreed, saying the trust built between them as an American lieutenant and Qatari commander set the standard.
“Now we can go back and talk about the ugly side with more frankness and respect,” Bailey said. “As anyone in the military knows, training to a high standard - whether set by NATO, America, or Qatar - can cause frustration and growing pains. When you literally look across the room and see a familiar friendly face, it makes navigating the
territory much easier.”
Everyone involved agreed the training and planning was successful in building upon previous engagements while looking towards the future.
“The United States has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Qatar for many years,” said Seward, “and continues to stand firm alongside them.”
Related Stories:
https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/State-Partnership-Program/Article/2664195/west-virginia-qatar-formalize-military-partnership/
https://www.qatar-tribune.com/article/164855/latest-news/qatar-armed-forces-conclude-nato-operational-capabilities-concept-program
https://qa.sidecloud.net/institutions/qatar-multidimensional-warfare-training-center
| Date Taken: | 09.25.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.25.2025 11:42 |
| Story ID: | 549262 |
| Location: | DOHA, QA |
| Web Views: | 77 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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