Task Force Illini advises Rapid Trident culminating exercise

Photo By Sgt. Gregory Glosser | Advisors from Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine tour brigade Tactical Operations Center during Exercise Rapid Trident 2020 at Collective Training Center-Yavoriv Sept. 23. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory Glosser.)  

LVIV, UKRAINE

09.23.2020

Story by Sgt. Gregory Glosser 

33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team

LVIV, Ukraine - Multinational partners collected valuable feedback on movement and maneuvers of Armed Forces Ukraine’s 59th Separate Motorifle Brigade during its culminating training exercise during Exercise Rapid Trident 2020 at Collective Training Center – Yavoriv (CTC-Y), Ukraine, Sept. 23.
Brigade level maneuver exercises are a valuable opportunity for commanders at all levels to see the practical application of what they learned in the classroom and apply it to conditions on a simulated battlefield against opposition. Here commanders use an echeloned system of communications to execute real-time operations on the battlefield. Exercises of this type are important not only to rotational units on the ground but also provide valuable feedback to the instructors at Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
“This exercise shows that CTC-Y is capable of not just teaching tactics, the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP), and NATO interoperability to brigade-sized elements in the classroom but also capable of creating realistic scenarios for brigades to implement what was learned in the classroom in battlefield conditions,” said Maj. Douglas McGinnis Brigade level Maneuver Chief with Task Force Illini.
Working closely with the Ukrainian trainers also provided a unique opportunity to gain insight into their mentoring and teaching strategies. McGinnis said Ukrainian training staff are able to clearly demonstrate their knowledge of the MDMP processes as well as interoperability with NATO standards.
“I'm continually impressed by our Ukrainian counterparts' knowledge and their willingness to receive feedback and suggestions from U.S. and NATO advisors. The Ukraine OCTs are continually providing relevant training feedback to the rotational unit and sharing best practices. This shows that the CTC-Y is continually developing into an institution capable of training units and mentoring leaders,” said McGinnis.
Task Force Illini is the command element of Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine, which is responsible for training, advising, and mentoring the Ukrainian cadre at Combat Training Center-Yavoriv, Ukraine in order to improve Armed Forces Ukraine’s training capacity and defense capabilities.

• Date Taken: 09.23.2020
• Date Posted: 09.24.2020 08:22
• Story ID: 378544
• Location: LVIV, UA