U.S. Soldiers in Ukraine celebrate Thanksgiving

Photo By Alexander Rector | Yavoriv, Ukraine – Brig. Gen. Tony Aguto, the 7th Army Training Command (7th ATC) commander briefs Soldiers assigned to the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine here Nov. 23. Aguto, who was accompanied by Command Sgt. Maj. William Gardner II, the 7th ATC command sergeant major, took the time out of their busy schedules to serve Thanksgiving dinner to the JMTG-U Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Alexander Rector)  

UKRAINE

11.24.2017

Story by Sgt. Alexander Rector 

New York National Guard

The soldiers, who arrived in Ukraine in early November, are assigned to the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine (JMTG-U). From now until late next summer the soldiers of the JMTG-U will spend their time mentoring the Ukrainian Army and assisting them in developing a combat training center.
Though there is no shortage of work to be done, The more than 250 American soldiers stationed here in Ukraine took some time off to celebrate their Thanksgiving.
The day started out at 0700 where JMTG-U soldiers participated in an 8 kilometer run. A large portion of the soldiers assigned to the JMTG-U hail from the Buffalo, N.Y. region and the name of the race reflects that fact. The Inaugural Joint Multinational East Buffalo Eight Kilometer Turkey Trot. About 4500 miles east of Buffalo to be exact.
The race was organized by the JMTG-U moral wellness and recreation team who plans to sponsor other events such as this during the 27th IBCT's time in Ukraine.
The race was well attended by more than 80 soldiers, and each nation assigned to the JMGT-U: Canada, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, the United States, and the United Kingdom, were represented. The top 5 winners of the race were presented with certificates by Brig. Gen. Tony Aguto.
Gen. Aguto, the 7th Army Training Command (7th ATC) commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. William Gardner II, the 7th ATC senior enlisted soldier were on an official visit to the JMTG-U to welcome the incoming 27th who took over control of the JMTG-U mission on Nov. 22.
Later during the day Aguto and Gardner, accompanied by their wives, served Thanksgiving dinner to the U.S. soldiers stationed here and helped make home seem not so far away.
Finally to round out the festivities, the Lithuanian contingent of soldiers here at the JMTG-U celebrated their armed forces day. Though football is normally the sport people back in the states associate with Thanksgiving, this year it was all about basketball. As part of their armed forces day celebration the Lithuanian contingent sponsored a 3-man basketball tournament, and this year the U.S. Came in first place. The appropriately titled 'E-4 Mafia,' a team consisting of 4 specialists assigned to Charlie Troop, 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry, took home the trophy.
Though the day was long and filled with celebration, the Soldiers of the JMTG-U didn't lose sight of their reason for being here and by the next day they were back to work training alongside Ukrainian soldiers.

• Date Taken: 11.24.2017
• Date Posted: 11.24.2017 07:57
• Story ID: 256419
• Location: UA