Soldiers from the Oklahoma Army National Guard were featured in a video training Ukrainian forces posted by U.S. Army Europe, as a part of their deployment in support of Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.



The U.S. training mission will support Ukrainian Ministry of Defense soldiers until 2020, with the JMTG-U overseeing training for up to five battalions of Ukrainian forces, according to the Army.Soldiers are trained at the battalion level and below, building a stronger Ukrainian army to "defend Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity." Additionally, U.S. forces are working to modernize the Ukrainian military, while developing their own training center at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center.

In this video, Oklahoma Army National Guard mortarmen mentor Ukranian forces:



The 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard arrived in Ukraine this January, marking the first time that any National Guard unit has assumed command of JMTG-U in its entirety. In February, the Oklahoma soldiers were visited by Maj. Gen. John Gronski, the Deputy Commanding General for Army National Guard, U.S. Army Europe.

"It's an ideal National Guard mission," Gronski said. "It not only helps the Ukrainians defend their country, but it also helps us strengthen our own national security."

The soldiers were also visited by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma earlier this month.



Since fighting broke out in Ukraine in 2014, the U.S. has committed $266 million in equipment and training for Ukrainian forces, according to the Army.

"I'm proud of the soldiers from the 45th, and I've seen a lot of professionalism and also great attitudes and dedication from both the U.S. and Ukrainian soldiers," Gronski said during his February visit. "The work we're doing here is paying off."

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