YAVORIV, Ukraine-The Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine welcomed the 1st Battalion 93rd Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Army and officially marked the start of their 55-day training rotation at an opening ceremony here July 23.
JMTG-U is responsible for training Ukrainian land forces and building a team of Ukrainian cadre who will ultimately assume that responsibility. The training is designed to reinforce defensive skills of the Ukrainian Ground Forces in order to increase their capacity for self-defense.
This is the fourth rotation of an active duty unit through the International Peacekeeping and Security Center. But, JMTG-U Commander Col. Nick Ducich noted during his opening remarks, this rotation marks historic changes to allied instructors as well as JMTG-U as a whole. He also welcomed the Polish training contingent from the 21st Mountain Brigade, the newest partner at JMTG-U.
"First, I want to recognize and personally thank the Polish contingent, whose diverse weapons and tactical knowledge is a critical addition to JMTG-U's capabilities that advances Ukrainian land forces' goals toward NATO interoperability," he said.
The commander of Poland's 21st Mountain Brigade, Col. Zenon Brzuszko attended the ceremony and took a moment to recognize the detachment from his brigade.
"As you know, in addition to good equipment, high morale which causes unit cohesion, the vital importance is a well-trained soldier," Brzuszko said. "I'm convinced that all of us achieve advantages through sharing our experiences and cultures. Moreover, I'm sure the best benefit of this training is friendship and understanding."
The outgoing Canadian task force commander, Lt. Col. Tim Arsenault, took a moment to recognize the outgoing Canadian contingent and thank them for their months of service. He also recognized the shared partnership among the gathered nations.
"We're all very enthusiastic to be here working with such fantastic partners as our American, Lithuanian and Polish colleagues. JMTG-U really is a fantastic representation of international support for Ukraine. Together we stand united for Ukraine," he said.
This will also mark the first rotation where a team of trained Ukrainian instructors will assume the responsibility of training a company from the 1-93rd. This training will include individual skills such as marksmanship and first aid all the way through to collective skills including company level live-fire.
Ducich encouraged the Ukrainian soldiers to improve themselves and their unit and share their experiences and knowledge. He then called upon the soldiers from every partner nation to pause and reflect on the flags of each nation represented here.
"Each NATO contingent present today is more than just instructors," he said. "They are your friends and partners who support Ukraine's defense reforms, doctrinal modernization and the restoration of your sovereign borders."
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