ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay — More than 50 Soldiers and Airmen from the Massachusetts National Guard conducted a joint engineering mission with the Paraguayan Armed Forces to renovate critical infrastructure at military training sites near Asunción, Paraguay, July 13-26.
The joint task force, including members of the 181st Engineer Vertical Construction Company and the 102nd Civil Engineer Squadron, worked alongside Paraguayan partners in support of the State Partnership Program.
The training and construction effort supported preparations for Fuerzas Comando 2026, a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored multinational special operations competition scheduled for mid-August. To ensure the sites were ready to host military personnel and special operations forces from more than 20 nations, the Massachusetts National Guard performed structural maintenance and renovations across multiple facilities at Centro de Entrenamiento Conjunto de Operaciones de Paz (CECOPAZ), the Joint Peace Operations Training Center, as well as a sniper tower at the Escuela de Infantería, the Paraguayan Army Infantry School.
“What’s integral to this mission is that we are bolstering not only the relationship between the Massachusetts National Guard and Paraguay, but also the Air and Army components,” said Capt. Connor Abreu, 101st Engineer Battalion training officer. “We’ve been partners with Paraguay for just about 25 years.”
Executing the mission — including masonry, roofing, carpentry, tiling, plumbing and painting — in a foreign operating environment presented unique tactical and logistical challenges. For many participating Guardsmen, operating with limited equipment alongside host-nation personnel provided valuable expeditionary experience.
“Normally, when we go out to places, we have all our tools, all of our gear and equipment,” said Senior Airman Matthew Herman, a structural specialist with the 102nd Civil Engineer Squadron. “Here, they don’t have access to as much equipment, but they still make it work. It's impressive to see how you can accomplish the mission with minimal resources, which is a vital skill in contingency environments.”
Despite initial language barriers and differences in trade techniques, the joint environment fostered rapid cohesion and mutual learning among the military branches and partner forces.
“Working with the Army has been fantastic because we all speak the same language — construction,” said Master Sgt. Bradford Townsend, 102nd Mission Support Group first sergeant. “We’ve really integrated well with the locals and with the Army and the Air Force working together.”
The sentiment of unity was shared by members of the Paraguayan Armed Forces, who worked alongside the Massachusetts National Guard engineers throughout the mission.
“We were able to get to know them. They integrated very well with us,” said 2nd Lt. Matías Benítez, a member of the Paraguayan Armed Forces. “It was just like being with another Paraguayan.”
1st Lt. Gerardo González, also serving with the Paraguayan Armed Forces, emphasized the lasting impact of the cultural and professional exchange.
“Through work, we could also exchange conversations and learn about each other’s cultures,” said González. “It was a very nice and unique experience. We’re left with very fond memories.”
The Massachusetts National Guard and Paraguay have maintained a partnership through the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, or SPP, since 2001. One of the program’s earliest partnerships, the relationship has grown over 25 years, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening regional security, building interoperability and fostering enduring relationships between the two nations.