Ukrainian troops are set to begin training on the Patriot missile defense systems in Oklahoma as soon as next week, the Pentagon confirmed Tuesday.
Breaking news: The Pentagon is planning to bring Ukrainian troops to the United States for training on the Patriot missile defense system, a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the development said Tuesday. https://t.co/Dp6GG0pmdY
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) January 10, 2023
The training program will take place at Fort Sill in Oklahoma.
Pentagon Press Secretary Gen. Pat Ryder in a press conference on Tuesday stated: “Training for Ukrainian forces on the Patriot air defense system will begin as soon as next week at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.”
Gen. Ryder noted that 90 to 100 Ukrainian troops will train to operate and sustain a Patriot air defensive system.
The U.S. military “will prepare approximately 90 to 100 Ukrainian soldiers to operate, maintain, and sustain the defensive system over a training course expected to last several months,” Ryder said.
“The Patriot will contribute to the air defense capabilities that Ukraine already has,” he added.
“It’s something that will enable them to take down … ballistic missiles, adversary aircraft; [it’s] really up to them on how they employ it. But this is part of a broader effort by the United States and the international community to provide Ukraine with the air defense capabilities that it needs to defend its population and its armed forces.”
WATCH:
🗣 US TO TRAIN UKRAINIAN FORCES IN OKLAHOMA
The Pentagon announced today around 100 Ukrainian forces will train to use the Patriot defense system at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Officials say the training is expected to last several months. @OKCFOX pic.twitter.com/cPPd1dwjC9
— Dan Snyder (@DanSnyderTV) January 10, 2023
The U.S. Department of Defense stated:
Fort Sill is home to the schoolhouse where the Army trains its soldiers and service members from allied and partner nations on using the Patriot system. Now, Ukrainian soldiers will train there, as well.
Ryder said training for those Ukrainian soldiers will include classroom work, hands-on training with the Patriot systems, as well as a simulation lab. It will also focus on what the Ukrainians will need once they are back home.
“The training will be tailored to provide relevant tactics, techniques and procedures based on the battlefield conditions in Ukraine to enable them to employ that to maximum effect once they are back in Ukraine,” Ryder said.
Since Russia’s invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the United States has provided Ukraine with more than $24.2 billion in security assistance. That assistance has included ammunition, vehicles, aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, radar systems, small arms, artillery, air defense systems, anti-aircraft and anti-armor systems.
Some Americans aren’t thrilled about the idea of training Ukrainian troops on American soil and expressed concerns over National Security.
Oklahoma State Senator Nathan Dahm filed a SCR2 to reject foreign soldiers on Oklahoma soil.
“I just filed SCR2 to reject foreign soldiers on Oklahoma soil. The pentagon is planning on sending Ukrainian troops to Oklahoma to train on U.S. missile systems. The last thing we need is them misfiring a missile into Oklahoma,” Dahm stated.
I just filed SCR2 to reject foreign soldiers on Oklahoma soil. The pentagon is planning on sending Ukrainian troops to Oklahoma to train on U.S. missile systems. The last thing we need is them misfiring a missile into Oklahoma… pic.twitter.com/iuzSHOqznV
— Nathan Dahm (@NathanDahm) January 11, 2023
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