YAVORIV, Ukraine--Soldiers of Ukraine's 1st Airmobile Battalion, 79th Air Assault Brigade celebrated the end of their training cycle under the mentorship of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine at the Yavoriv Combat Training Center on the International Peacekeeping and Security Center, near Yavoriv, Ukraine, on July 3.
Known as "Cyborgs," the 1st Bn., 79th Regt. spent the last 55 days training with Ukrainian CTC staff and mentors from the U.S. Army's 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
The training cycle took the soldiers first through an individual soldier-skill refreshment course and then through section-, platoon- and company-level tactics before culminating in a battalion field training exercise that challenged all elements of the unit's training.
A hardened combat unit, with experience from the conflict in eastern Ukraine, the Cyborgs brought a depth of knowledge and enthusiasm that impressed the Soldiers of the 45th IBCT.
In his final address to the 1st Bn., 79th Regt., Maj. Adam Headrick, commander of 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th IBCT, said, "You, and your soldiers, have consistently demonstrated initiative, skill and a desire to improve as a combat fighting force. Through your professional demeanor and discipline, it was clear to me that the first of the 79th was already an exceptional unit when you arrived at the CTC."
Modeled after the U.S. and NATO CTC model, the Yavoriv CTC is Ukraine's first training center dedicated to furthering the skills and capabilities of existing units.
"Here, you sharpened your individual skills, honed your collective skills, and most importantly, enhanced your ability to work together in cohesive teams," said Col. Elmer Holt, chief of staff of the JMTG-U and the U.S. Army's 45th IBCT.
With the completion of Rotation 17-02, this year's second training rotation through the CTC, Ukraine is one step closer to NATO interoperability and peace.
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