MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – This year marks the 25th anniversary of the National Guard State Partnership Program between the Connecticut National Guard and the Uruguayan Armed Forces, a milestone that reflects a quarter-century of partnership, shared training and ongoing support between Connecticut and Uruguayan counterparts.
The partnership is part of the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program (SPP) that pairs state National Guard branches with partner nations worldwide to collaborate on military readiness.
The Connecticut–Uruguay partnership, created in 2000, has become a model of sustained engagement, particularly in peacekeeping operations, humanitarian response and joint training.
“After 25 years of successful exchanges with the Connecticut National Guard and Uruguay, both enterprises have obtained broad knowledge and understanding of their partner nation’s capacities and standard operating procedures,” said Maj. Juan Torres Santiago, Connecticut National Guard bilateral affairs officer in Uruguay. “However most importantly, these efforts reflect the pride and will of all military members that are aligned with ensuring the safety of their nations.”
In May, Connecticut National Guard leaders traveled to Uruguay to meet with leaders from the Uruguayan Armed Forces and diplomatic leaders. The visit included strategic planning meetings, base tours and further discussion about future collaboration through the State Partnership Program. The program’s success lies not only in its operational outcomes but also in the strong personal and professional relationships it fosters.
The SPP is important because it provides unique training and learning opportunities for armed forces from Connecticut and Uruguay.
“Today, this collaboration symbolizes the Connecticut National Guard’s global commitment to stability, resilience and partnership,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur Fredericks, Connecticut National Guard command senior enlisted leader. “It reflects the Guard’s ability to influence and support allied capacity-building, not just through training and military exchanges, but through enduring people-to-people ties, professional military education and shared solutions to real-world challenges.”
The visit by Connecticut National Guard leaders reaffirmed the enduring collaboration and shared commitment of both nations to security, stability and peace.
“What began as a traditional state partnership has grown into a comprehensive strategic relationship,” Fredericks said. “The partnership now extends well beyond bilateral military exchanges as it will encompass collaborative work in peacekeeping, mental health, resilience, women’s leadership, disaster response, space and cyber initiatives and even civic engagement models like urban planning and homelessness programs.”
The recent visit concluded with a traditional Uruguayan asado hosted by the Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya, which offered an informal setting to strengthen bonds between leadership and celebrate the program’s 25th anniversary over a shared meal.
“The state partnership success in Uruguay, without a doubt, lies in the human touch– which is the professional friendships cultivated over the last 25 years,” Santiago said. “By building this relationship, the Connecticut National Guard has ensured that the U.S. is and will be the partner of choice for Uruguay in the future.”
Together, the Connecticut National Guard and Uruguay are looking forward to another 25 years of continued training and military collaboration.