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NY Army National Guard Soldiers in Ukraine meet with New York National Guard commander

Yavoriv, Ukraine (03/12/2018) — Western New York 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.

Media Attachments

Maj. Gen. Anthony German, the Adjutant General of New York, recognizes New York Army National Guard Spc. Matthew Schaef, a Buffalo, NYNY resident who is assigned to the Joint Multinational Training Group - Ukraine, with a challenge coin during his visit with the 27th Infantry Brigade combat team Soldiers in Yavoriv, Urkaine on March 9. ( U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Alexander Rector)

Maj. Gen. Anthony German, the Adjutant General of New York, recognizes New York Army National Guard Spc. Jeffrey Maziarz, a Tonawanda, NY resident who is assigned to the Joint Multinational Training Group - Ukraine, with a challenge coin during his visit with the 27th Infantry Brigade combat team Soldiers in Yavoriv, Urkaine on March 9. ( U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Alexander Rector)

Maj. Gen. Anthony German, the Adjutant General of New York, recognizes New York Army National Guard Sgt. Foster Quakenbush, a Darien Center, N.Y. resident who is assigned to the Joint Multinational Training Group - Ukraine, with a challenge coin during his visit with the 27th Infantry Brigade combat team Soldiers in Yavoriv, Urkaine on March 9. ( U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Alexander Rector)

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