National Guardsmen return from return from training Ukrainian armed forces
More than 160 Arkansas Army National Guardsmen from the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team will return home from after leading the effort to help train more than 7,500 Ukraine armed forces members.
The Arkansas guardsmen were part of Joint Multinational Training Group–ukraine in Grafenwoehr, Germany, helping to train Ukrainian forces to be prepared to defend against and deter Russian aggression.
The guardsmen helped train more than 7,500 Ukraine armed forces members, according to a press release issued Thursday by the Arkansas National
Guard.
“It can’t be understated the direct impact the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team has had on global security the past nine months,” said Maj. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, Arkansas’ adjutant general. “What these Guardsmen have done has directly contributed to Ukraine’s ability to defend its sovereign territory against Russian aggression. Arkansans should be justifiably proud of the service and achievements of the Bowie Team on this deployment.”
The returning soldiers were expected to arrive Saturday afternoon in Little Rock.
The 39th IBCT members departed Arkansas April 4, 2023, for their mobilization station at Fort Bliss, Texas. The 39th IBCT took charge of the Joint Multinational Training Group–ukraine on April 28, in Grafenwoehr, Germany.
The 39th IBCT handed off its responsibilities Jan. 5 to the 155th Armored Brigade of the Mississippi National Guard. The 39th IBCT arrived at its demobilization station at Fort Bliss Jan. 6.
“Our soldiers return home incredibly privileged and profoundly impacted to have served on a remarkable and historic mission in training 7,500 Ukrainians to defend their sovereign country,” said
Col. Chad Bridges, 39th IBCT commander. “We are deeply proud of our soldiers’ distinctive contributions and professionalism. We recognize our families’ sacrifices and our soldiers’ employers for their support during this nine-month deployment.”
Prior to 2022, Joint Multinational Training Group– Ukraine was conducted in Ukraine. In 2022, it relocated to Grafenwoehr and resumed its role of training Ukraine armed forces members in Germany, according to a training group fact sheet. Since then, the training continues to evolve based on the needs of and in coordi
nation with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Since relocating to Germany, Joint Multinational Training Group–ukraine has been manned by the 53rd
IBCT of the Florida Army National Guard, 27th
IBCT or the New York Army National Guard, Arkansas’ 39th IBCT, and now the 155th Armored Brigade of the Mississippi National Guard.
“Our unit partnered with over 107 different
U.S. and international organizations in the common purpose of increasing Armed Forces of Ukraine lethality and capabilities to defeat Russian aggression. We will never forget the Ukrainians we worked with, the meaningful partnerships we experienced, and the noble cause for which we served,” Bridges said.