EUCOM Commander visits Soldiers in Ukraine

Photo By Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Tarr | Army Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, U.S. European Command Commander, addresses the Soldiers of 6th Squadron, 8th Cavarly Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center, Nov. 23, 2016. Scaparrotti was here to interact with Soldiers and observe Ukrainian Soldiers during their 55-day training rotation at the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. The U.S.-led JMTG-U is 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. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Tarr)  

YAVORIV, UKRAINE

11.23.2016

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Europe and Africa     

YAVORIV, Ukraine - U.S. Army Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, Commander of European Command visited Soldiers of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center here, November 23.

This was the last stop on a multi-day holiday visit where he was accompanied by his EUCOM Senior Enlisted Leader, Master Chief Cris Addington, to engage Sailors, Solders, Airman, and Marines in Romania and Ukraine. Scaparrotti was here to observe the ongoing training and visit with U.S. Soldiers and their multinational partners from Poland, Lithuania, Canada and the U.K.

During his visit, he observed urban operations training conducted by Soldiers from 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, at the recently improved training site. According to Scaparrotti, the training he witnessed was outstanding and he was highly impressed with the professionalism of both U.S. and Ukrainian Soldiers.

Scaparrotti also had the opportunity to recognize seventeen Soldiers for their outstanding accomplishments so far in Ukraine. He also administered the oath of enlistment to four Soldiers who were reenlisting and promoted three officers to the rank of 1st Lt.

Scaparrotti took the time to share his thanks and appreciation for the Soldiers as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches.

“Although you are away from your family, you are with your Army family here,” Scaparrotti said. “Be assured that I appreciate what you are doing and the fact that you are doing it during the holidays.”

Following the visit, Lt. Gen. Pavlo Tkachuk, Commander of Ukraine's Land Forces Academy, presented Scaparrotti with a token of appreciation for his dedication to the JMTG-U mission and Ukraine.

JMTG-U is focused on building a sustainable and enduring capacity and capability in the Ukrainian land forces. This is accomplished through direct training in the near term and the consolidation and resourcing of dedicated cadre for the future.

• Date Taken: 11.23.2016
• Date Posted: 11.24.2016 02:07
• Story ID: 215778
• Location: YAVORIV, UA