Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting with Latvia Minister of Defence Ināra Mūrniece
12:00 AM4/13/2023
Secretary Austin lauded Latvia’s robust defense spending and welcomed Latvia’s investment in new capabilities like long-range fires and defense infrastructure.
Northern Group Ministerial Meetings Focus on Exercises and Training
8:41 AM12/6/2019
European defense leaders from 13 countries met in Stockholm, Sweden today as part of the Northern Group Ministerial meetings. Commander, U.S. European Command, General Todd D. Wolters, attended the meeting hosted by Swedish Minister of Defense Peter Hultqvist
A Maryland Air National Guard A-10 Thunderbolt II peels off shortly after being refueled by Master Sgt. Joseph LaPinta, 171st Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, in a Michigan Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker during Saber Strike 2015. Exercise Saber Strike 2015 has brought 14 ally and partner nations together to increase interoperability between military forces. The Michigan National Guard is a part of a Department of Defense sponsored State Partnership Program between Michigan and the Latvian government, which began in 1993. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Capt. Anthony J. Lesterson)
With the assistance of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, USEUCOM hosted cyber exercise Baltic Ghost, June 27-29, in Stuttgart, Germany, with participants from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and their National Guard State Partners Maryland, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, respectively.
U.S. Army Soldier Joseph Nippert, petroleum supply specialist for Echo Company, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York, operates the fuel switch of the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck M978A4 fuel servicing truck. Echo Company is participating in a Forward-Arming and Refueling Points mission, where Soldiers will refuel a jet to a Finnish F/A-18 Hornet jet. The unit is deployed to Latvia for Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. endeavor to fulfill commitment to NATO interests by rotating units throughout Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shiloh Capers)
U.S. Army Sgt. Jacob Dwight Weston-Girardin, petroleum supply specialist for Echo Company, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York, signals his team member to release fuel into the lines on the airfield, May 18. Echo Company is participating in a Forward-Arming and Refueling Points mission, where Soldiers will refuel a jet to a Finnish F/A-18 Hornet jet. The unit is deployed to Latvia for Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. endeavor to fulfill commitment to NATO interests by rotating units throughout Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shiloh Capers)
U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Wohlfore, Air National Guardsman with the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan, provides a quick emergency egress class on the F/A-18 Hornet jet to Latvian firefighters while the jet is being refueled on the airfield, May 18. Wohlfore has routinely made trips to Leilvarde since 2008 to provide training to members of the Latvian air force to enhance their capabilities. Latvia is Michigan's State Partnership Program partner, a program designed to promote interoperability and stability in Baltic nations since 1993. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shiloh Capers)
Task Force Falcon Soldiers brief Apache capabilities during Operation Summer Shield
12:29 PM4/28/2017
ADAZI, Latvia — U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jose Cintron, instructor pilot with Charlie Company, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas, shows Latvian soldiers parts of the AH-64D Apache at the Parade Field on Adazi Military Base, Latvia, April 24. U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Cintron shows the location of equipment such as radar, the hydraulic system and the satellite communication antenna. The purpose is to better communicate how the aircraft is used, its functions, and how the Apache can be employed on the battlefield. Cintron, who has operated in Afghanistan, describes this experience as relationship building. The 1-501 supports 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, which operates under Operation Atlantic Resolve, which demonstrates the U.S. commitment to NATO by rotating U.S. -based units through the European theater during multiple exercises with NATO Allies. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Shiloh Capers)
Task Force Falcon Soldiers brief Apache capabilities during Operation Summer Shield
12:23 PM4/28/2017
ADAZI, Latvia — An AH-64D Apache with 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas, descends onto the Parade Field on Adazi Military Base, Latvia, April 24, 2017. The Apache flies into Adazi for a brief with several services to highlight the capabilities of the Apache and its systems. The purpose is to better communicate how the aircraft is used, its functions, and how the Apache can be employed on the battlefield. The 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment supports 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, which operates under Operation Atlantic Resolve, which demonstrates the U.S. commitment to NATO by rotating U.S. -based units through the European theater during multiple exercises with NATO Allies. U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Shiloh Capers)
Task Force Falcon Soldiers brief Apache capabilities during Operation Summer Shield
12:21 PM4/28/2017
ADAZI, Latvia — A gathering of U.S. Army Soldiers, U.S. Airmen, and Latvian soldiers attend a briefing on the AH-64D Apache at the Parade Field on Adazi Military Base, Latvia, April 24, 2017. The brief consists of highlighting the capabilities of the Apache and its systems to the audience with a display for effect. The purpose is to better communicate how the aircraft is used, its functions, and how the Apache can be employed on the battlefield. The 1-501st supports 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, which operates under Operation Atlantic Resolve, which demonstrates the U.S. commitment to NATO by rotating U.S. -based units through the European theater during multiple exercises with NATO Allies. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Shiloh Capers)
CAMP ADAZI, Latvia – Latvian soldiers assigned to the Latvian Land Forces Infantry Brigade and U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, complete an esprit de corps run, Feb. 17, 2017 at Camp Adazi, Latvia. The run brought U.S. and Latvian soldiers together following a welcome ceremony honoring the arrival of 1-68 AR in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. Atlantic Resolve is a U.S. led effort in Eastern Europe that demonstrates U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to the enduring peace and stability in the region. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lauren Harrah/Released)
Ready to fight to protect; 13 NATO Allies come together for Exercise Saber Strike 16, Latvia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kelly L. Street, 2D MARDIV COMCAM/Released)
A Lithuanian soldier looks up as she prepares to move positions during Exercise Saber Strike 16 aboard Adazi Military Base, Latvia, June 17, 2016. U.S. and NATO Allies participate in this theater security cooperation exercise to prepare participants for worldwide contingency operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kelly L. Street, 2D MARDIV COMCAM/Released)
A M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle from 5th Squadron, 7th Calvary Regiment conducts maneuvers as part of a section gunnery qualification at Camp Ujmajor, Hungary July 21. The squadron continues to progress through their gunnery qualification tables as they build up to a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise in August.
A M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle from 5th Squadron, 7th Calvary Regiment conducts maneuvers as part of a section gunnery qualification at Camp Ujmajor, Hungary July 21. The squadron continues to progress through their gunnery qualification tables as they build up to a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise in August.
A M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle from 5th Squadron, 7th Calvary Regiment scans for targets during a section gunnery qualification at Camp Ujmajor, Hungary July 21. The squadron continues to progress through their gunnery qualification tables as they build up to a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise in August.
Troopers from 5th Squadron, 7th Calvary Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division observe Hungarian Soldiers as they engage targets during a stress at Camp Ujamajor, Hungary July 13, 2016. The Troopers are in Hungary as a part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a demonstration of continued U.S. commitment to the collective defense of Europe through a series of actions designed to reassure NATO allies and partners of our dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.
Hungarian Soldiers carry a weighted casualty litter to help elevate their heartrate before engaging targets during a stress shoot at Camp Ujamajor, Hungary July 13, 2016. The Troopers are in Hungary as a part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a demonstration of continued U.S. commitment to the collective defense of Europe through a series of actions designed to reassure NATO allies and partners of our dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.
Troopers from 5th Squadron, 7th Calvary Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division do 3-5 second buddy rushes during a stress shoot at Camp Ujamajor, Hungary July 13, 2016. The Troopers are in Hungary as a part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a demonstration of continued U.S. commitment to the collective defense of Europe through a series of actions designed to reassure NATO allies and partners of our dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.
A Trooper from 5th Squadron, 7th Calvary Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division observes a Hungarian Soldier engage a target during a stress at Camp Ujamajor, Hungary July 13, 2016. The Troopers are in Hungary as a part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a demonstration of continued U.S. commitment to the collective defense of Europe through a series of actions designed to reassure NATO allies and partners of our dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.
U.S. Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment prepare for movement during Swift Response 16 training exercise at the Hohenfels Training Area, a part of the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, in Hohenfels, Germany, Jun. 22, 2016. Exercise Swift Response is one of the premier military crisis response training events for multi-national airborne forces in the world. Swift Response 16 includes more than 5,000 Soldiers and Airmen from Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the United States and takes place in Poland and Germany, May 27-June 26, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Bryan Rankin/Released)
Staff Sgt. John Martin, 127th Civil Engineering Squadron pavements and construction supervisor and Tech. Sgt. Ed Hirth, 127th CES firefighter, apply a mud adhesive to rock wool insulation at a kindergarten in Silmala, Latvia on June 23, 2016. The school is currently undergoing a Humanitarian-civic assistance project to provide the school with up to date renovations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ryan Zeski)
Tech. Sgt. Derek Leppek, 127th Civil Engineering Squadron structures supervisor, cuts into the concrete around a window of a kindergarten school in Silmala, Latvia on June 19, 2016. The school is undergoing construction as part of the U.S. European Command’s Humanitarian Civic-Assistance project. United States and Latvian military engineers are working together to complete the project. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ryan Zeski)
Staff Sgt. Amanda Turnwald, 127th Civil Engineering Squadron engineering assistant, marks a measurement on a piece of rock wool insulation at a kindergarten in Silmala, Latvia on June 23, 2016. The school is currently undergoing a Humanitarian-civic assistance project to provide the school with up to date renovations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ryan Zeski)
Private First Class Rihards Rudzitis, Latvian National Armed Forces, works on the side of a kindergarten building in Silmala, Latvia on June 19, 2016. The school is undergoing construction as part of the U.S. European Command’s Humanitarian Civic-Assistance project. United States and Latvian military engineers are working together to complete the project. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ryan Zeski)
An overall view of the kindergarten in Silmala, Latvia that is currently undergoing renovations on June 18, 2016. The school’s renovations are part of a Humanitarian-Civic Assistance project. The project provides training opportunities for the United States and Latvian soldiers as well as a benefit for the local community. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ryan Zeski)
Tech. Sgt. Ken Wilson, 127th Civil Engineering Squadron HVAC supervisor and Staff Sgt. Jared Brunsen, 127th CES HVAC expert, cut sheet plastic at a kindergarten in Silmala, Latvia on June 18, 2016. The school’s renovations are part of a Humanitarian-Civic Assistance project. The project provides training opportunities for the United States and Latvian soldiers as well as a benefit for the local community. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ryan Zeski)
Corporal Anders Bukovskis, Latvian National Armed Forces and Staff Sgt. Jarriel Brown, 127th Civil Engineering Squadron electrical journeymen, work on renovations for a kindergarten in Silmala, Latvia on June 18, 2016. The school’s renovations are part of a Humanitarian-Civic Assistance project. The project provides training opportunities for the United States and Latvian soldiers as well as a benefit for the local community. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ryan Zeski)
Staff Sgt. Amanda Turnwald, 127th Civil Engineering Squadron engineering assistant, marks a measurement on a piece of rock wool insulation at a kindergarten in Silmala, Latvia on June 23, 2016. The school is currently undergoing a Humanitarian-civic assistance project to provide the school with up to date renovations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ryan Zeski)
Latvian civilian contractors guide an M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) onto a trailer at the rail yard in Garkalnes, Latvia on July 9, 2016. Latvian contractors are working with soldiers from the 386th Transportation Detachment, 39th Transport Battalion to provide movement control for 3rd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment whose soldiers are training with their Latvian allies in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve which is being conducted in Eastern Europe to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.
2nd Lt. Craig Longmire, a native of Fairfax Station, VA, a Transportation Officer assigned to 386th Transportation Detachment, 39th Transport Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, is talking on the phone with Latvian citizen contractors to coordinate the rail yard shipment at Camp Adazi, Latvia on July 9, 2016. The soldiers of the 386th Transportation Detachment provide movement control for 3rd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment whose soldiers are training with their Latvian allies in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve which is being conducted in Eastern Europe to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.
U.S. Army soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment, work with soldiers from the 386th Transportation Detachment, 39th Transport Battalion to disconnect a pair of M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles (BFV) at the rail yard in Garkalnes, Latvia on July 9, 2016. The soldiers of the 386th Transportation Detachment provide movement control for 3rd Battalion whose soldiers are training with their Latvian allies in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve which is being conducted in Eastern Europe to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.
Latvian civilian contractors transfer an M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) from train to trailer at the rail yard in Garkalnes, Latvia on July 9, 2016. Latvian contractors are working with soldiers from the 386th Transportation Detachment, 39th Transport Battalion who provide movement control for 3rd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment. Soldiers from 3rd Battalion are training with their Latvian allies in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve which is being conducted in Eastern Europe to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.
U.S. Soldiers, Latvians work transportation for Operation Atlantic Resolve
12:53 PM7/12/2016
GARKALNES, Latvia – A shipment arrived by train July 7, 2016, containing M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles (BFV), M1114 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV), and M977 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT) for the soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment. Soldiers assigned to 386th Transportation Detachment, 39th Transport Battalion, are the movement control for 3rd Battalion.
In front of a formation of two allied nations, a Polish and American soldier stand side by side bearing their country’s colors before an opening of training ceremony recognizing the partnership between the two participating units, K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, and the 12th Mechanized Brigade, Polish Army, Jan. 18, at Konotop, Poland. Following the ceremony, 3-2 Cavalry Soldiers conducted squad-level training alongside Polish allies in support of Atlantic Resolve, a multinational demonstration of continued U.S. commitment to the collective security of North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Paige Behringer, 10th Press Camp Headquarters)
U.S. Soldiers, assigned to Lightning Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, load Stryker Fighting Vehicles on rail cars at Rose Barracks’ railhead station, Vilseck, Germany, Jan. 7, 2016. The squadron will deploy to Lithuania to take part in Atlantic Resolve North. The operation takes place in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. These training events improve interoperability, strengthen relationships and trust among allied armies, contribute to regional stability, and demonstrate U.S. commitment to NATO. (U.S. Army photo by Visual Information Specialist Gertrud Zach/Released)
Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 159th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade take off in a Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter June 18, 2015, in Mirosławiec, Poland, during Saber Strike 15. Encompassing more than 6,000 participants from 13 different nations, Saber Strike is a long-standing U.S. Army Europe-led cooperative training exercise. Designed to improve joint operational capability in a range of missions as well as preparing the participating nations and units to support multinational contingency operations, this year's exercise takes place across Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Marcus Floyd, 13th Public Affairs Detachment)
Soldiers with C Battery, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, fire a Paladin M109A6 Artillery System June 18, 2015 at the Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area in Poland during Saber Strike 15. Encompassing more than 6,000 participants from 13 different nations, Saber Strike is a longstanding U.S. Army Europe-led cooperative training exercise. Designed to improve joint operational capability in a range of missions as well as preparing the participating nations and units to support multinational contingency operations, this year's exercise takes place across Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Marcus Floyd, 13th Public Affairs Detachment)
U.S. Marine Sgt. Steven Mashburn, a squad leader with Black Sea Rotational Force, right, holds the American flag during the opening ceremony for Exercise Saber Strike at the Pabrade Training Area, Lithuania, June 8, 2015. The exercise brings NATO and other partner nations together for a multilateral training event designed to promote regional stability and security, strengthen partnerships, and foster trust. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Paul Peterson/Released)
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 3rd Class David Hubbard, from Huntington Station, N.Y., and assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 8, conducts pre-dive checks prior to participating in mine countermeasure operations in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Estonia, May 25, during Exercise Open Spirit 2015. EODMU 8 is working in conjunction with EOD teams from Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden to dispose of unexploded ordnance originating from World War II. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Patrick A. Ratcliff/ Released)
Michigan National Guard partners with Latvian Land Forces
4:58 PM3/31/2015
Sgt. David Snyder, gunner assigned to Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 119th Field Artillery Regiment, Michigan National Guard, watches Pfc. Jevgenijs Gubinskis, Latvian Land Forces, change the gunner's site controls on their M777A2 howitzer during training near Adazi, Latvia, March 24, 2015. The Michigan National Guard 1-119th FA is working with their Latvian counterparts as part of Operation Summer Shield XII, a multinational NATO training exercise whose participants include U.S. active duty Army, Reserve, and National Guard, U.S. Marines, and units from Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Luxembourg, and Canada. Michigan and Latvia have worked together in the State Partnership Program for 23 years. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kimberly Bratic, Michigan National Guard/Released)
3rd Infantry Division arrives to support Operation Atlantic Resolve
11:00 AM3/10/2015
Approximately 750 U.S. Army and military vehicles and equipment, including tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, artillery pieces and helicopters from the 3rd Infantry Division arrived in Riga, Latvia, on Monday.
Allied port ops in Riga reinforce Operation Atlantic Resolve
10:22 AM3/10/2015
RIGA, Latvia – Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division offload an M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank from the transportation vessel “Liberty Promise” March 9 at the Riga Universal Terminal docks. More than 100 pieces of equipment, including the tanks, M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles and assorted military cargo, will move on to sites in other areas of Latvia as well as Estonia and Lithuania in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
