YAVORIV, Ukraine (July 24, 2015) -- U.S. Gen. Raymond Odierno, chief of staff of the Army, visited paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade as they trained soldiers from the Ukrainian national guard here as part of Fearless Guardian, July 8, 2015.
Fearless Guardian is the name for the Congress-approved, Departments of State and Defense initiative to train the newly-formed Ukraine national guard under the Global Security Contingency Fund-Ukraine. The U.S. military and the training they provide are at the request of the Ukrainian government.
The 173rd arrived here in April and completed the first of its three scheduled rotations of training in June.
Odierno met with Ukrainian leadership and was shown the current and future development of the International Peacekeeping Security Center here.
"This facility is very important to maintaining a high-readiness army," said Odierno. "I have had trouble convincing people the importance of training facilities like this, I hope we can assist you through our expertise,."
Odierno observed paratroopers in action with Ukrainian guardsmen during medical training and counter IED training.
"I am impressed with the training area, it is very good and modernized," said Odierno. "It provides a lot of capability to maintain readiness."
One of the key things about Fearless Guardian that Odierno admired was the amount of time paratroopers and guardsmen spent together.
"They are training together, they are living together, eating together and spending time off together," said Odierno. "Building strong relationships between our two armies."
During his visit Odierno took the opportunity to promote and give awards to several paratroopers and guardsmen.
"Having the chief of staff of the Army give me an Army Achievement Medal was a unique experience," said Staff. Sgt. Charles Hoskins, paratrooper assigned to the brigade's 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment. "I am glad I had the opportunity to come to Ukraine and work with the soldiers here."
At the conclusion of his visit Odierno held a press conference with local and international media where he showed his support to Ukrainian guardsmen.
"The passion that I see in these soldiers and their dedication to get better is, in my mind, really significant," said Odierno. "It speaks well of Ukraine and the Ukrainian army."
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