NY National Guard Soldiers serving in Ukraine meet with Major General Anthony German, the Adjutant General of New York
Yavoriv, Ukraine (03/13/2018) — Queens New York Army National Guard Soldiers currently serving in Ukraine with the New York National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade were visited by Major General Anthony German, the Adjutant General of New York and the commander of the New York National Guard, at Yavoriv Combat Training Center, here on March 8.
The Soldiers are among 220 from the Syracuse-based 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team deployed as part of Joint Multinational Training Group - Ukraine (JMTG-U).
Since arriving in Ukraine early November 2017, the Soldiers assigned to the JMTG-U have been mentoring Ukrainian Army units as they strive toward their goal of obtaining NATO interoperability.
German toured the training center and met with New York Soldiers as well military leaders from allied and partner nations whose troops also serve at the center.
German was accompanied on his visit by Maj. Gen. Steven Ferrari, the 42nd Infantry Division commander, Col. Christopher Cronin, the 27th Brigade commander; Command Chief Master Sgt. Amy Giaquinto, the New York National Guard's senior enlisted service member, and Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony McLean, the 27th Brigade's senior enlisted leader.
While at the training center German and Ferrari spent time eating lunch with U.S. Soldiers stationed and presented challenge coins to outstanding Soldiers in recognition of their hard work.
In addition to recognizing Soldiers for their hard work, German conducted a re-enlistment ceremony for Staff Sgt. Gaspar Teri. Teri, a combat medic assigned to JMTG-U, reaffirmed his commitment to the New York National Guard for an additional six years.
Ferrari, during his time at the CTC presided over a promotion ceremony as Sgt. 1st. Class Steven M. Swanson was promoted to the rank of master sergeant. Swanson, a Stow, N.Y. Native, currently serves as the JMTG-U forward support company first sergeant.
The generals were also able to observe Ukrainian Army units training in the field and tour the newly constructed simulation center.
Finished last fall, the simulation center allows Soldiers to conduct computer-based tactical training from the individual Soldier level up to and including the brigade-staff level. Currently a stand alone facility, there are plans to link it with similar centers across Europe to expand the scale and scope of the training conducted.
About halfway through their year-long deployment, the New York Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the JMTG-U remain of the most easterly deployed U.S. Army units. The more than 220 Soldiers in Ukraine are slated to return home late this summer.
The New York National Guard (New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs) is the state's executive agency responsible to the Governor for managing New York's Military Forces, which consists of nearly 20,000 members of the New York Army National Guard, the New York Air National Guard, the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard.
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Maj. Gen. Anthony German, the Adjutant General of New York, recognizes New York Army National Guard Sgt. Andy John, a resident of Far Rockaway, NY, assigned to the Joint Multinational Training Group - Ukraine, with a challenge coin during a visit to members of the 27th Infantry Brigade on March 9. ( U.S. Army National Guard photp by 1st Lt. Derrick Garner)
Maj. Gen. Anthony German, the Adjutant General of New York, recognizes New York Army National Guard Spc. Kristin Sells, a resident of Astoria, NY, assigned to the Joint Multinational Training Group - Ukraine, with a challenge coin during a visit to members of the 27th Infantry Brigade on March 9. ( U.S. Army National Guard photp by 1st Lt. Derrick Garner)
New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Gaspar Teri III, a resident of Flushiong, N.Y. and a medical section mentor assigned to the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine (JMTG-U) shakes hands with Maj. Gen. Anthony German, the Adjutant General of New York, during his re-enlistment ceremony at the Yavoriv Combat Training Center (CTC) here, Mar. 8. During the ceremony Teri, a resident of Flushing, N.Y., reaffirmed his commitment to the U.S. Army and New York State for an additional 6 years. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Alexander Rector)