MTT’s enhancing Ukrainian Soldiers' knowledge

Photo By Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Tarr | Wallace McNeal, an instructor from the Department of the Army, is teaching Ukrainian instructors how to document and take photographs of a simulated mortar, August 18, 2016, during battlefield forensic training at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center as part of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. By documenting the simulated mortar, it helps the unit assess the situation and could potentially allow them to collect information about the enemy and their tactics during war. JMTG-U focuses on direct training the near term, the program intends to build capacity quickly thru the consolidation and resourcing of dedicated cadre. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Tarr)  

YAVORIV, UKRAINE

08.19.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Tarr 

U.S. Army Europe and Africa     

YAVORIV, Ukraine—Sharp minds on the battlefield is a key element in any military force and can be a strong factor in survival against potential adversaries. Throughout the week of Aug. 15, 2016, several American Mobile Training Teams have assisted the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine with increasing the technical knowledge of Ukrainian Soldiers here.

The training teams consisted of U.S. Military personnel and civilian contractors instructing Ukrainian Soldiers on an array of topics including battlefield forensics, contested space and simulations.

Training a multitude of Ukrainian Soldiers in various mission essential areas is crucial to the success of the JMTG-U; however, it can become extremely costly to send them to specialized training in another country. Bringing small training teams to Ukraine aids in alleviating those cost and allows the Soldier to receive continuous training.

Maj. Warren Litherland, officer in charge of the Combat Training Center at JMTG-U states that it is significantly easier and more cost effective to bring the training forces to Ukraine. When a Ukrainian Soldier has to leave the country, he is essentially losing training time due to traveling to another country.

The training teams provide the necessary equipment to ensure the Ukrainian Soldiers are able to receive adequate hands on training to enhance their performance.

“Our goal is to provide realistic training experiences for the Ukrainian Soldiers,” said Litherland. “We look at the key needs for the Ukrainian Soldiers and try to bring the training to the next level.”

Thomas Lasch, an instructor for the Virtual Battlefield Systems assigned to the 7th Army Training Command in Germany, is teaching the Ukrainian Soldiers how to effectively maneuver the VBS, which is a first person shooter simulation that allows Soldiers to receive realistic and interactive training without going into a combat situation.

“The good thing about what we're doing here is that it has a direct and immediate impact on the Ukrainian forces going into war.” said Lasch. “Coming to Ukraine allows us to reach more Soldiers, which could potentially save lives.”

Maj. Bruce Horsefield, an instructor from the Department of the Army taught the Ukrainian instructors battlefield forensics. The training taught the Ukrainian instructors how to effectively approach an impaired vehicle and take photographs of the damage. By documenting the damage, it helps the unit assess the situation and could potentially allow them to collect information about the enemy and their tactics during war.

“We are a team of four instructors teaching a group of 15 Ukrainian instructors who can then go on to teach their Soldiers,” said Horsefield. “This type of training wouldn’t be possible if we had to bring them to the United States to receive the training.”

• Date Taken: 08.19.2016
• Date Posted: 08.20.2016 10:18
• Story ID: 207780
• Location: YAVORIV, UA