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More than 50 Soldiers and Airmen from the Massachusetts National Guard joined the Paraguayan Armed Forces for a joint engineering mission to renovate critical infrastructure at military training sites near Asunción, Paraguay, from July 13-26, 2026.
The joint task force, comprising the 181st Engineer Vertical Construction Company and the 102nd Civil Engineer Squadron, worked alongside Paraguayan partners in support of the State Partnership Program. Their efforts prepared facilities for Fuerzas Comando 2026, a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored multinational special operations competition scheduled for mid-August, with work spanning multiple buildings at the Centro de Entrenamiento Conjunto de Operaciones de Paz (CECOPAZ) and a sniper tower at the Paraguayan Army’s Escuela de Infantería.
“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.”
Engineers executed masonry, roofing, carpentry, tiling, plumbing and painting in a foreign operating environment that presented tactical and logistical challenges. For many participants, working with limited equipment alongside host-nation personnel offered 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 differing trade techniques, service members reported rapid cohesion across branches and with their Paraguayan counterparts. “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.”
Paraguayan soldiers echoed that sense of unity. “We were able to get to know them. They integrated very well with us,” said 2nd Lt. Matías Benítez of the Paraguayan Armed Forces. “It was just like being with another Paraguayan.”
1st Lt. Gerardo González said the collaboration left a lasting impression. “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 State Partnership Program since 2001. One of the program’s earliest pairings, the relationship has grown over 25 years, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening security, interoperability and enduring ties between the two nations.
