Soon 22 US military Apache helicopters and hundreds of units of military machines will arrive in Latvia for international military exercises, as reported by Latvian Defence Ministry’s press-service.
A considerable number of allied NATO troops and military machines will arrive in Latvia to participate in joint military exercises together with the country’s National Armed Forces.
The joint military exercises will help improve the cohesion of allied forces during tactical operations, including under winter conditions. Military exercises will also include reconnaissance training, as well as testing the ability of Latvian National Armed Forces infrastructure to host military units and performing anti-air protection training.
Italian unit of 100 troops is expected to arrive in Latvia by 16 February.
18 February will mark the start of Saber Strike 22 international military exercises under US command in Europe. The exercises will continue until 23 March.
Approximately 400 US troops and about 100 units of military vehicles will arrive by means of public roads in Latvia by 18 February. 22 AH-64 Apache helicopters will arrive as well.
By the 28 February approximately 800 US troops and up to 250 military vehicles will arrive from Lithuania.
Between 28 February and 11 March Latvia will be hosting the Crystal Arrow 22 military international exercises for infantry and mechanised infantry forces.
It is planned for approximately 2 800 troops and National Guard from Latvia and the US to participate. Allied forces from countries part of NATO enhanced Forward Presence – Canada, Albania, Czech Republic, Italy, Iceland, Montenegro, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain – will also participate. More than 300 units of land and air military vehicles may be used as well.
KC-135 military aerial refuelling aircraft will be stationed in each Baltic State as part of the military exercises. They will be used to perform joint training with Estonia-based US Air Force F-15 jets.
A number of military exercises are planned for May. The Trojan Footpring North crisis management exercises will be held together with US special forces to help train Latvian Special Operations Forces and National Guard to improve mutual cooperation.
During Swift Response exercises US, Latvian, Polish and Czech armed forces will train their reconnaissance capabilities, allied forces infiltration operation support and counter-deployment operations with assistance from more than a dozen US Air Force aircraft.
Defender Europe military exercises will be organised to test the ability of Latvian National Armed Force infrastructure to host allied forces and assess the integration of NATO forces in Latvia.
It is for this purpose more than 700 US troops and more than 20 US Army and Air Force military units will be staying in Latvia for the duration of exercises.
At the end of May and start of June it is planned to hold the Astral Knight military exercises, which will focus on air force operations.
The presence of allied forces in Latvia will demonstrate the combat readiness of NATO member states and reinforce its collective defence principles through deterrence.
Latvian National Armed Forces invite residents to be understanding towards the military exercises and the momentary inconveniences the movement of military equipment may cause and keep in mind that the objective of said military exercises is improving Latvia’s defensive capabilities and regional safety in general.
Latvia to host massive military exercises with US participating
