A Ukrainian fighting vehicle breaks through smoke used

A Ukrainian fighting vehicle breaks through smoke used as cover against a training threat Sept. 20 during a demonstration of American and Ukrainian military firepower in Rapid Trident 2019 in Yavoriv, Ukraine. The two nations make up of the bulk of 3,700 participants in the annual exercise that began 2006. Rapid Trident is an extension of Peace Shield, a State Partnership for Peace program that ran 1996-2005. This year 14 nations participate. Special dignitaries, including Minister of Defense of Ukraine Andrii Zahorodniuk, and Anna Kovalenko, deputy chief of Ukraine Presidents Office, attended the demonstration that showcased progress of Ukraine’s military transition to NATO standards and capabilities. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Eddie Siguenza.)