Washington Guard, Malaysian Forces strengthen logistics partnership | Article

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. — As the Washington Army National Guard prepares for a large-scale deployment to the National Training Center and transitions to new tactical vehicles, military logisticians are sharing expertise to strengthen readiness and build a deeper understanding of how each force sustains its operations.

The Washington National Guard hosted a weeklong logistics subject matter expert exchange with representatives from the Royal Malaysian Armed Forces at Camp Murray Sept. 21-25. The exchange brought together members of the Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Air Force and Royal Malaysian Navy to discuss logistics operations, maintenance practices and the processes that keep military forces ready for their missions.

More than a year in the making, the exchange builds on a longstanding partnership between the Washington National Guard and Malaysia through the National Guard State Partnership Program.

“The timing is great because we are doing a massive logistics move preparing to send more than 3,000 soldiers to the National Training Center,” said Brig. Gen. Paul Sellars, commanding general of the Washington Army National Guard. “We are also going through a massive transformation from Strykers to ISVs, so the timing works out better.”

During the week, Malaysian participants visited the Combined Support Maintenance Shop and Unit Training Equipment Site to observe maintenance operations and learn about equipment support processes. The group also visited the Army Aviation Support Facility at Joint Base Lewis-McChord to explore the Washington Army National Guard’s aviation capabilities and associated logistics and maintenance operations.

The visits gave participants an opportunity to see how the Washington Army National Guard organizes and executes sustainment operations while exchanging perspectives on how each military approaches similar challenges.

“We think it is good to have these conversations, because we can tell them what we do and they can tell us about their logistical processes. But during an exchange we can talk about the why, and why we do it this way,” said Col. Rene Mendoza, Washington Army National Guard G-4 logistics officer.

That exchange of knowledge is particularly important as both forces work to understand one another’s capabilities, procedures and requirements. Logistics is essential to generating combat power, supporting deployed forces and sustaining operations over time.

“It’s a good thing for us to work together and learn from one another,” said Sellars.

The logistics exchange is the longest-running engagement between the Washington National Guard and its Malaysian partners, reflecting the importance both forces place on sustainment and the relationships that support continued cooperation.

“Ever since my days as a junior special forces guy, I knew we needed traditional logistics, specifically joint logistics, and that it is incredibly important,” said Sellars.

The exchange also supports future opportunities for cooperation. Malaysian military representatives plan to observe the Washington Army National Guard’s 81st Brigade Combat Team during its National Training Center rotation in August 2027, providing another opportunity to strengthen their understanding of U.S. Army operations and sustainment.