Active-duty Army units to take over training of Ukrainian troops in Bavaria

The U.S. Army is shifting responsibility for training Ukrainian troops in Bavaria to active-duty units already stationed there. Soldiers with the 86th Infantry Brigade stand in formation during a colors casing ceremony in Grafenwoehr, Germany, Oct. 15, 2026. The Vermont National Guard’s 86th Infantry Brigade ended its leadership of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine mission, which has involved more than 24,000 Ukrainian troops in Germany since 2022. (Thomas Dixon/U.S. Army) GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — The U.S. Army is shifting responsibility for training Ukrainian troops in Bavaria to active-duty units already stationed there, moving the mission toward a more permanent footing after a decade under National Guard leadership. The Vermont National Guard’s 86th Infantry Brigade (Mountain) ended its rotation leading the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine mission Thursday during a colors casing ceremony at the Tower Barracks parade field in Grafenwoehr.

The training of Ukrainian troops will continue at U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria and its expansive training ranges, the largest in Europe. But those activities will now be performed by active-duty units from U.S. Army Europe and Africa and the 7th Army Training Command already stationed there, a service official said Monday. The move appears to be part of a broader realignment to use local assets and reduce duplication. It comes just days after Guard members passed command of the NATO peacekeeping mission