More than 150 soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team are set to depart on a year-long deployment to Germany.

Part of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 56th SBCT, they will serve with Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine aiding 7th Army Training Command to help Ukraine defend itself against an invasion, Major Travis Mueller, state media relations officer for the Pennsylvania National Guard, said in a release.

The joint training group has been training the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2015, relocating the operation to Grafenwoehr, Germany, in 2022.

Interview with Col. Christopher Costello, commander of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, after a deployment ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Spc. Jessica Barb)

“This mission supports United States enduring national interests that includes security for U.S. allies and partners, respect for universal values and a rules-based international world order that promotes peace and security” said Col. Christopher Costello, commander of the 56th SBCT. “I am confident that we have the right people and the right training to ensure the success of this mission.”

The soldiers and their families were honored during a deployment ceremony Aug. 21 at Fort Indiantown Gap’s Strickler Field. Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, spoke with the soldiers at the ceremony.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kurtis Startzel with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, smiles while lifting his daughter into the air at the unit’s pre-deployment farewell ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap on Aug. 21, 2024. The unit is deploying to Grafenwoehr, Germany, to resume the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine mission under 7th Army Training Command. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Leanne Demboski)

The 56th SBCT is part of the 28th Infantry Division, based in Horsham, although soldiers come from across the commonwealth and neighboring states.

Interview with 1st Lt. Sam Mancuso, assigned to the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, after a deployment ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Spc. Jessica Barb)

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