Ukrainian soldiers complete first rotation of Fearless Guardian II

By Staff Sgt. Adriana Diaz-BrownFebruary 16, 2016

Ukrainian soldiers complete first rotation of Fearless Guardian II
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Nick Ducich, Joint Multinational Training Group Ukraine commander, speaks to Soldiers, Feb. 12, 2016, during the graduation ceremony of the first rotation of Fearless Guardian II at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center near Yav... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ukrainian soldiers complete first rotation of Fearless Guardian II
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Paratroopers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade present arms during the playing of the American national anthem, Feb. 12, 2016, during the graduation ceremony of the first rotation of Fearless Guardian II at the International Peacekeeping and Security C... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ukrainian soldiers complete first rotation of Fearless Guardian II
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers with the Ukrainian Land Forces stand in formation, Feb. 12, 2016, during the graduation ceremony of the first rotation of Fearless Guardian II at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center near Yavoriv, Ukraine. The second phase of F... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ukrainian soldiers complete first rotation of Fearless Guardian II
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Nick Ducich, Joint Multinational Training Group Ukraine commander, presents an award to Lt. Col. Roman Mykhaylovych Korenuyk, 1st Battalion, 24th Mechanized Brigade commander, Feb. 12, 2016, during the graduation ceremony of the first rotati... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

YAVORIV, Ukraine (Feb. 12, 2016) -- Five hundred Ukrainian soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 24th Mechanized Brigade, successfully completed the first rotation of Fearless Guardian II, Feb. 12, 2016, at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center near Yavoriv, Ukraine, after nine weeks of training.

Soldiers with the Ukrainian Land Forces received infantry-based, defensive-focused training to include medical training, counter-unmanned aerial vehicle tactics training and counter-improvised explosive device training,

"From all accounts, your progression from individual to collective level training demonstrated increased confidence, lethality, speed and most importantly teamwork," said Lt. Col. Nick Ducich, Joint Multinational Training Group Ukraine commander.

The training culminated with a two-day company situational training exercise in which Soldiers were able to apply the skills they learned.

Military trainers from the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom and Lithuania are in Ukraine as part of the JMTG-U effort to assist with long-term military reform, increase training capacity, and strengthen internal defense capabilities.

The ending of the first rotation of Fearless Guardian II also completed the mission of the paratroopers from the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade.

"Today, I also want to highlight the professionalism and outstanding abilities of your instructors," said Ducich. "The troopers of 1-91 Cavalry Squadron, the soldiers of the Canadian and Lithuanian contingents represent the best of the NATO alliance and served you well," Ducich added.

The second rotation of Fearless Guardian II is schedule to begin, March 1, in which soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, will replace paratroopers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

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