The next is attributed to John Kirby, Pentagon spokesman:
This morning, by way of videoconference, Secretary Austin spoke to a small variety of Ukrainian forces who’re returning to Ukraine immediately from the USA.
These Ukrainian troops had been taking part in a pre-scheduled skilled army schooling program on the Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Coaching College (NAVSCIATTS) in Biloxi, Miss. when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine started on February 24.
The Secretary thanked them for his or her service and for his or her braveness, noting the talent with which the Ukrainian Armed Forces are preventing Russia’s unprovoked invasion. And he pledged continued U.S help for offering and coordinating further safety help.
The Ukrainians had been in the USA as a part of the Protection Division’s lengthy historical past of internet hosting Ukrainian service members for coaching and schooling. NAVSCIATTS is a Safety Cooperation faculty working beneath United States Particular Operations Command in help of International Safety Help and Geographic Combatant Commanders’ Theater Safety Cooperation priorities.
The Ukrainian forces obtained coaching on patrol craft operations, communications, and upkeep whereas at NASVSCIATTS.
Because the conclusion of the NAVSCIATTS course in early March, the U.S. army offered the group further superior tactical coaching and coaching on the techniques the USA has offered to Ukraine, together with on the Switchblade UAV.
Right now was the group’s final day in the USA. They spoke to Secretary Austin from the U.S. Navy’s base at Little Creek, VA., the place they had been finishing further superior tactical coaching.
