An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | April 29, 2025

Paraguayan President Awards Top Honor to Massachusetts National Guard General

By Senior Airman Julia Ahaesy, 102nd Intelligence Wing

ASUNCION, Paraguay – U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard, has been awarded the distinguished Order of Merit “Gral Div Bernardino Caballero” in the grade of “Gran Cross” by Paraguay President Santiago Peña.

The award was presented April 24 in the Government Palace’s Independence Hall in Asunción, Paraguay. It is the highest award the commander of the Paraguayan Armed Forces grants to civilians and military personnel for their distinctive, valuable service. 

The award recognizes the strong alliance between Paraguay and the United States and the continued commitment to military-to-military cooperation. This engagement further enhanced the long-term, mutually beneficial security relationship between the Massachusetts National Guard and Paraguay, established through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program. 

“This ceremony is not only a protocol act; it represents above all the reaffirmation of the historical ties of friendship, trust and cooperation that unite our sister nations,” Peña said. “It is a tangible expression of a strategic alliance, sustained in solid principles such as democracy, freedom, institutionality and cooperative security.”

The Massachusetts National Guard’s partnership with Paraguay officially began in 2001. The partnership between Massachusetts and Paraguay was initiated under the leadership of Keefe’s father, Maj. Gen George W. Keefe, who served as the 39th adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard. Like his father, Keefe recognizes the importance of military-to-military and civilian-to-civilian relationships, and both have been the foundation of the nearly 25-year mutually beneficial partnership.

“It’s more than a partnership,” Peña said. “It’s the continuation of a proud legacy.”

For more than two decades, this partnership has evolved from focusing on improving military skills to a broad collaboration that includes cybersecurity, humanitarian response, peacekeeping and leadership development, reflecting growing trust and shared strategic interests.

“Paraguay has a long, long history of being one of the most loyal allies and partners to the United States and it continues today,” Keefe said. “The four aspects I value most about Paraguay are its commitment to family, friendship, faith and especially loyalty.”

During his visit to Asunción, Keefe met with senior leaders of the Paraguayan Armed Forces to discuss ongoing collaboration and support and to reaffirm the enduring partnership between Paraguay and the United States.

Following the ceremony, Paraguayan Vice Admiral Lucio Benítez Escalante, commander of the Paraguayan Navy, invited Keefe; U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Lisa Ahaesy, chief of staff, Massachusetts Air National Guard; and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Richard Cipro, assistant adjutant general, Massachusetts Army National Guard to the Paraguayan Navy Headquarters to discuss collaboration and cooperation between the Paraguayan Navy and the Massachusetts National Guard.

Keefe and top leaders of the Massachusetts National Guard were welcomed to the Ministry of National Defense to meet with Gral EJ (R) Óscar Luís González Cañete, Paraguay’s minister of national defense. The discussion centered on further developing programs for training, equipment supply and joint operational capabilities. Massachusetts National Guard leadership deliberated on the strengthening of military-to-military cooperation and further developed joint security and defense strategies with Paraguayan Gen. EJ César Augusto Moreno Landaira, Paraguay’s commander of the military forces, and Paraguayan Lt. Gen. Nery Torres Laconich, Paraguay’s joint chief of staff.

Additionally, Chief Master Sgt. Kawailehua Vadnais, senior enlisted leader of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, met with Special Operations Command “Fuerzas Armadas de la Nación” Operations Staff Commander Francisco Feliciano Benitez Florentin to collaborate on the continued exchange of non-commissioned officer and senior non-commissioned officer training and enlisted force development.

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Hunter Vaught, combat medic program manager for the South Carolina Army National Guard, and Colombia Aerospace Force medical personnel practice a Level 2 Tactical Combat Casualty Care procedure during Relámpago de los Andes, a multinational exercise held at Palanquero Air Base, Colombia, Aug 2, 2025. Led by Colombia, RDLA is a combined exercise that reinforces the enduring partnership between the United States and Colombia while enhancing joint interoperability across forces.
South Carolina Guard, Colombian Medics Strengthen Life-Saving Skills at Exercise
By Sgt. 1st Class Roberto Di Giovine, | Aug. 11, 2025
PALANQUERO AIR BASE, Colombia — Backed by a 13-year alliance through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, South Carolina National Guard Airmen and Soldiers joined forces with Colombian...

South Dakota National Guard Soldiers with members of the Surinamese Armed Forces during a first-of-its-kind jungle warfare exchange that concluded July 18, 2025. Service members from the SAF and the SDNG spent ten days sharing critical skills in survival, navigation, and patrolling. This successful collaboration is a part of the National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP).
South Dakota Guard, Suriname Armed Forces Strengthen Partnership
By Staff Sgt. Breanne Donnell, | July 31, 2025
PARAMARIBO, Suriname – The South Dakota National Guard and Suriname Armed Forces, or SAF, strengthened their partnership during a first-of-its-kind jungle warfare exchange that concluded July 18.Service members from the SAF...

A Nebraska National Guard delegation traveled to Tanzania in June to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States Army and promote the newly established State Partnership Program between Nebraska and Tanzania. 
Established in 2024, the partnership is among the newest in the National Guard Bureau’s global network. The visit marked a significant step toward building sustained cooperation with the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF).
Nebraska Guard Strengthens Ties with Tanzania During Visit
By Nebraska National Guard | July 28, 2025
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania - A Nebraska National Guard delegation traveled to Tanzania in June to commemorate the 250th birthday of the United States Army and advance the newly established Department of Defense National Guard...