Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Overseas Operations
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Hokanson Visits Guardsmen Training With Ukraine Troops By Sgt. 1st Class Zach Sheely,
                National Guard Bureau
 GRAFENWOEHR, Germany – For some Florida National Guardsmen, leaving the troops they were training with in Yavoriv, Ukraine, last fall was one of the toughest moments of their military careers. “Walking over to the Ukrainians and telling them we were leaving was painful,” said Army Col. Blake Glass, commander, 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Florida National Guard. “We are personally invested. These are our friends and partners.” But, as Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, saw during a recent visit here, the Soldiers of the 53rd IBCT found renewed purpose, reuniting with their Ukrainian partners in Germany. “Training with them again is a great way for us to stay involved,” Glass said. The 53rd deployed about 150 Soldiers in November for what they thought would be a longer rotation training with the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). The Florida Guard members worked alongside AFU members for four months to build defense capacity. But, as an unprovoked Russian invasion loomed in February, the Soldiers were ordered to evacuate. Among the last Americans to leave, the Soldiers of the 53rd ICBT shared hugs and sorrowful goodbyes with their Ukrainian counterparts. Now, the 53rd ICBT – known as Task Force Gator – is assisting Ukrainian troops who have come to Grafenwoehr to train. Many have since returned to the fight. The 53rd was moved to Grafenwoehr – the largest overseas U.S. military installation and home to 7th Army Training Command – to provide continued logistics and training support as part of Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. “You are here to provide the support and training they need to continue fighting for their independence and their country’s sovereignty,” Hokanson told a formation of Task Force Gator Soldiers. “I can’t thank you enough for providing that enduring support.” Assistance begins with immediate support to AFU members fresh off the frontlines: addressing medical issues and providing clean beds and linens, boots and clothing. A Florida Guard chaplain and mental health counselor are also available to talk with AFU members who have lost family members and friends. A more significant part of U.S. support enhances AFU lethality by increasing its soldiers’ familiarity with the weapons being delivered to Ukraine. Glass said the Florida Guard and the 7th ATC have trained about 1,000 AFU members on weapon systems, including artillery such as the 155 mm howitzer. “We know when Ukrainian soldiers come through here they have a responsibility to train and get back as soon as they can,” Glass said. “We want to take care of every one of their needs to ensure they can do just that.” Hokanson met with AFU members as a multi-component, multinational mix of personnel had just returned from live-fire training and were reorganizing for the next iteration of drills. “I was impressed with the urgency of their training,” Hokanson said. “It is highly focused. The Ukrainians are adept, capable and motivated.” He noted a potential challenge for Ukrainian soldiers: reading dials, instrument panels and digital screens featuring English text. While some AFU soldiers know the language, others do not. That hasn’t been a roadblock, Glass said. “The help and training we’re providing are a direct correlation to the success they’re having,” he said. “They have our numbers on speed dial. We can hear the guns firing while we’re working through issues with them on the phone.” The California National Guard and other states have built a close connection with Ukraine through the Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program. This Florida Guard unit is the 11th National Guard element to rotate through JMTG-U since it was established in 2015. Soon, another unit will replace them here. “The National Guard and its State Partnership Program has been instrumental by providing that connective tissue throughout Europe to build and enable partner capacity, readiness and interoperability,” said Army Brig. Gen. Joseph Hilbert, commanding general, 7th ATC. Germany was Hokanson’s second stop on a five-nation trip to recognize and strengthen National Guard relationships with NATO allies and European partners. The National Guard has been building security partnerships for almost 30 years through the SPP, and the program now includes 93 nations around the globe. The SPP’s value cannot be overstated, Hokanson said. “When Russia invaded, Ukraine’s military leaders reached out to people they trusted, people they had known for years – and those were members of the National Guard,” he said. “Ukrainians’ first text messages were, ‘We’re being invaded.’ Their second messages said, ‘Here’s what we need. ...’”
 SHARE
 PRINT
  Florida National Guard
 California National Guard
 Ukraine
 State Partnership Program
 NY National Guard Strengthens Bonds with Allies in Morocco Overseas Operations • 6 days ago
 Alaska Guard Soldiers Honored Before Middle East Deployment Overseas Operations • 13 days ago
 29th Infantry Division HQ Heads Exercise Immediate Response Overseas Operations • 18 days ago
 134th Medical Company Joins Combined Resolve Exercise Overseas Operations • 19 days ago
 Guard Soldiers, Czech Partners Celebrate Victory in Europe Day Overseas Operations • 21 days ago
 2024 (24)  2023 (57)  2022 (71)  2021 (58)  2020 (41)  2019 (56)  2018 (55)  2017 (46)  2016 (31)  2015 (36)  2014 (48)  2013 (64)  2012 (134)  2011 (163)  2010 (179)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil