The Pentagon\u00a0plans to bring Ukrainian troops to Oklahoma to train them\u00a0on the Patriot missile defense systems starting\u00a0as soon as next week,\u00a0the Pentagon confirmed Tuesday.
\nThe training,\u00a0first reported by CNN, will happen at Fort Sill,\u00a0Defense Department press secretary Brig. Gen.\u00a0Pat Ryder\u00a0told reporters.
\nThe details: The U.S. military \u201cwill prepare approximately 90 to 100 Ukrainian soldiers to operate, maintain, and sustain the defensive system over a training course expected to last several months,\u201d Ryder said.
\nOnce\u00a0fielded,\u00a0the\u00a0Patriot\u00a0will\u00a0\u201ccontribute\u00a0to\u00a0Ukraine\u2019s\u00a0air\u00a0defense\u00a0capabilities and provide another capability to the Ukrainian people to defend themselves against Russia\u2019s ongoing aerial assaults,\u201d he added.
\nWhy Oklahoma?: Fort Sill \u2014 one of the Army\u2019s four basic training locations, located 90 miles southwest of Oklahoma City\u00a0\u2014 already teaches troops the operation and maintenance of the\u00a0Patriot system and is also the location of the Army\u2019s field artillery school.
\nTrimming the timeline: Patriot training typically takes up to a year, but Ryder said the Pentagon is looking at how it can speed up the timeline for the Ukrainian forces.<\/p>\n