REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- A recent visit to Saudi Arabia by the commander of the Army Materiel Command provided visibility on a critical partnership between that nation and the U.S. Army.
In mid-September, Gen. Dennis L. Via attended the change of charter at the U.S. Army Office of the Program Manger (OPM), Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) Modernization Program in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During the change of charter, Brig. Gen. Paul Laughlin assumed the role of Program Manager for OPM-SANG from the outgoing PM, Brig. Gen. Victor Petrenko.
"We've had a tremendous relationship with Saudi Arabia for 41 years," Via said following the ceremony. Dignitaries from the American Embassy, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the British Embassy, past OPM-SANG PMs, and other U.S. stakeholders in the country attended, highlighting the critical nature of the program. More than a dozen Saudi Arabian general officers also attended the ceremony.
During the change of charter ceremony, Via said Petrenko oversaw the largest foreign military sales growth in OPM-SANG's program history. "He guided the acquisition and modernization of more than 14 lines, valued in excess of $5 billion dollars, bringing the total amount managed by the program to $35 billion."
Via also mentioned an ongoing effort to develop SANG's nearly $16 billion aviation program. "This will ultimately deliver more than 140 aircraft, and fund the construction of four airfields," Via said.
OPM-SANG is a U.S. Army military and civilian advisor team assigned to Saudi Arabia to provide advice and assistance in modernizing the Saudi Arabian National Guard. Funding for the program comes from the Saudi Arabian Government through foreign military sales cases executed by U.S. Army Security Assistance Command and AMC.
The OPM-SANG program was established in 1973, and has since assisted SANG in modernizing to a force of 11 brigades, capable of land combat operations.
Soldiers and civilians serve as "advisor-diplomats" while assigned to OPM-SANG. They help maintain an important strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia and an important presence in the region.
"This provides a tremendous opportunity for civilian employees," Via said. "All facets of career fields are available at OPM-SANG."
The Army benefits from ties with Saudi Arabia and the important military-to-military relationships in the U.S. Central Command Area of Operations and the Middle East, Via said.
"Saudi Arabia is our most stable ally in an unstable region," Via said. "These programs must succeed -- and we are there to ensure they do succeed."
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