Until 2002, security cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States was very much limited to export control and border security because of the Section 907 to Freedom Support Act, restricting assistance to the Government of Azerbaijan.

After the waiver of the Section 907 by President George W. Bush in 2002, active security cooperation between the two countries started. Bilateral Defense consultations, high-level visits took place and priorities for the cooperation were identified as developing and enhancing capabilities for interoperability between military units of both sides, including peacekeeping units; improving the naval capability to secure the maritime borders of Azerbaijan; and standardizing the airfields and airspace management of Azerbaijan.

Caspian Guard, one of the biggest in the region security-related US-sponsored projects in the region, was launched to improve air, ground, and maritime security in the Caspian region. This project will contribute to effective cooperation in counter-proliferation, counter-terrorism, illicit trafficking, protection of key economic zones, and indications and warnings.

Azerbaijani peacekeeping troops served shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. troops in Kosovo and Iraq, and continue to serve in Afghanistan.

Armed Forces of Azerbaijan are going through the process of reforms and transformation to get closer to NATO standards.

Reforming Azerbaijani Armed Forces is conducted also via the State Partnership Program between Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense and Oklahoma National Guard. Several high-level visits have taken place to date and many bilateral projects are under consideration.