[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Guard exchange between Minnesota and Norway during a ceremony at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul. The Norwegian Reciprocal Exchange (NOREX) is the longest-running exchange partnership between any two nations. Ahead of the Governor’s trip to Norway for an official signing ceremony, Governor Walz also signed a Letter of Intent at the Capitol, adding Norway as a partner in the State Partnership Program.

“Today, we are celebrating a 50-year-long military exchange between Minnesota and Norway that has produced life-long friendships, promoted deeper cultural understanding between two countries, and signified Minnesota’s long-standing partnership with Norway,” said Governor Walz. “Beyond our shared love of lefse, tolerance for the cold, and love of the outdoors, this military partnership represents an enduring relationship built on our shared history and values. As a 24-year veteran of the National Guard, I am proud to elevate this partnership and look forward to building our relationship for years to come.”

The exchange began in 1973 when Norwegian Home Guard’s Army Maj. Gen. Herluf Nygaard invited the Chief of the National Guard, Army Maj. Gen. Francis S. Greenlief, to visit their Home Guard. In 1974, roughly 40 Minnesota National Guard members and Norwegian Home Guard Youth participated in the exchange. Since 1985, the exchange has increased in size to include approximately 100 Minnesota National Guard Soldiers and Airmen traveling to Norway, while about 100 Norwegian Home Guard Soldiers travel to Minnesota. The exchange promotes goodwill, sharpens military readiness between the nations, provides opportunities for cultural understanding among its participants, and has produced life-long friendships.

Today’s Letter of Intent signing ceremony and celebration comes ahead of the Governor’s trip to Norway where he will attend an official signing ceremony, elevating Minnesota’s relationship with Norway through the State Partnership Program.

The Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program pairs the National Guard of a U.S. state or territory with a partner nation’s military, security forces, and government agencies responsible for emergency response and disaster response. The program is known for its low-cost yet high-payoff application to security cooperation efforts and began in 1993 with 13 partners. The Minnesota Guard has shared a partnership with Croatia for 27 years, and Norway will become another partner through this program.