This morning, through videoconference, Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III spoke to a small variety of Ukrainian forces who’re returning to Ukraine from the USA.
The forces 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.
The Ukrainian troopers had been taking part in a pre-scheduled skilled army schooling program on the Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Coaching Faculty in Biloxi, Mississippi, when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine started on Feb. 24, in accordance with Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby.
That college is a safety cooperation college, working beneath the U.S. Particular Operations Command in assist of overseas safety help and geographic combatant commanders’ theater safety cooperation priorities.
The Ukrainian forces obtained coaching on patrol craft operations, communications and upkeep, Kirby stated.
Because the conclusion of the course in early March, the DOD supplied the group further superior tactical coaching on the techniques the USA has supplied to Ukraine, together with on the Switchblade unmanned aerial automobile, Kirby stated.
Right this moment was the group’s final day in the USA. They spoke to Austin from the Navy’s base at Little Creek, Virginia, the place they accomplished further superior tactical coaching.
The secretary thanked the troops for his or her service and for his or her braveness, noting the ability with which the Ukrainian armed forces are combating to defend their nation from Russia’s unprovoked invasion, Kirby stated.
The secretary pledged to them continued U.S assist for Ukraine, offering and coordinating further safety help, Kirby added.
