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Maj. Gen. Gary W.

Keefe of the Massachusetts National Guard led senior leader engagements in Asunción, Paraguay, from January 16-22, 2026, to reinforce bilateral defense cooperation. This visit marked 26 years of partnership under the U.S.

State Partnership Program. Activities included meetings with Paraguayan military leaders, discussions on training and emergency preparedness, and ceremonies recognizing military contributions. Keefe awarded the Medal of Merit to key Paraguayan leaders and participated in a familiarization flight on an Embraer A-29 Super Tucano. The delegation also visited the Colegio Militar de Suboficiales del Ejército to observe training programs for noncommissioned officers and toured the new cyber battalion facility, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity in national defense.