Tennessee and Bulgaria expand State Partnership Program collaboration

SOFIA, Bulgaria - For 33 years, the Tennessee National Guard and Republic of Bulgaria, who are long-standing partners in National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program, have steadily strengthened their relationship through numerous joint training events, collaborations, and countless cooperative missions. This practice continued from June 29 - July 10, when various leaders from Tennessee and Bulgaria held key-leader engagements throughout Bulgaria to, not only reaffirm their current partnership, but develop plans to evolve their military relationships and expand civil partnerships.  

“Our partnership is a 33-year success story and a cornerstone of the State Partnership Program,” said Maj. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessee’s Adjutant General. “But we are taking it to the next level. We are moving beyond purely military-to-military engagement to true state-to-state integration.”

During the engagements, senior cabinet members from Gov. Bill Lee’s administration joined Tennessee National Guard leaders in meetings with Bulgarian government officials and representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Sofia to identify new, collaborative opportunities. Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in agriculture, energy, education, tourism, economic development, crisis response and disaster management, and other areas of mutual interest, demonstrating how decades of military partnership have created a foundation for lasting, mutually beneficial relationships.

“We’re all proud to have senior cabinet members forging new alliances based on the trust and access the Tennessee National Guard has built over three decades,” said Ross. “We are all looking forward to how we can mutually benefit from working together and building a more dynamic and holistic partnership.”

In recent years, Tennessee has supported Bulgaria’s defense modernization efforts, assisting in the acquisition of Stryker armored vehicles and F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft, significantly enhancing Bulgaria’s defense capabilities and interoperability with NATO Allies.

“Our partnership extends well beyond equipment modernization,” said Capt. Kealy Moriarty, Public Affairs Officer for the Tennessee National Guard. “Each year, our 129th Army Band performs alongside Bulgarian military musicians during Independence Day celebrations at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia and Bulgarian Armed Forces travel to Tennessee to compete in our state Best Warrior Competition. Recently, Security Forces from our Tennessee Air National Guard trained with members of the Bulgarian Air Force during Exercise Falcon Defender.”

Through years of joint exercises and bilateral engagements, Tennessee and Bulgaria military leaders have become strong allies and partners. As that partnership continues to mature, Tennessee and Bulgaria are continuing to expand their collaboration beyond defense to include broader government, economic, and academic cooperation, adopting a whole-of-government approach to the relationship.