The Pennsylvania National Guard confirmed on Wednesday the 26th Infantry Division of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team is preparing to train soldiers from Ukraine at a military base in Germany.
A news article by the Pennsylvania Guard confirmed soldiers are “preparing for mobilization to the Joint Multinational Training Center to train the Armed Forces of Ukraine” on combat tactics in the German state Bavaria.
“The independence brigade will continue to work with allies and partners to support Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty and freedom,” the Guard confirmed.
Col. Stuart James, an Army advisor to the Pennsylvania National Guard, reportedly explained Guard soldiers will instruct Ukrainians on Engagement-Area Development (EA Dev.) to prepare them for fighting against Russia.
“It’s about synchronization. The reason EA Dev. is so important is we’re synchronizing multiple elements to engage in one common fight,” James said, according to the Guard. He explained, “If everyone understands this process, we can effectively synchronize those effects, which are multiple forms of contact on the enemy.”
James added, “Knowing the process and the steps reduces fear and stress in Soldiers, ensuring they are confident in what they are doing.”
Pennsylvania has also supported Ukraine through its military-industrial base. A December 2023 analysis by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) reportedly shows that the Keystone State has received $1.55 billion in government contracts to create equipment for Ukraine since the war began in February 2022.
The analysis also found that Pennsylvania has received the third-highest number of such government contracts in the nation, with only Arizona and Arkansas receiving a greater share.
An April report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies additionally found Pennsylvania is among nine states that “received a significant influx of cash” from congressionally approved Ukraine war spending.
That analysis was published before President Joe Biden signed a $95 billion foreign aid bill into law.
The legislation provided about $61 billion to Ukraine and its partners to aid in their defensive war against Russia.
Of the remaining funds, $26.4 billion was earmarked to aid Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza and $8.1 billion for Taiwan to prepare for the possibility of an invasion from mainland China.
Fierce opposition to the foreign aid bill from a number of Republicans at one point included threats to oust Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA-04), though he ultimately advanced the legislation.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
