United States European Command

Mr. Jesse Granger, U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs|4/24/2014 4:21:16 PM

Approximately 150 Soldiers from the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) in Vicenza, Italy arrived in Latvia April 24, 2014, to conduct small unit and leader training with members of the Latvian Army.

RIGA, Latvia – Paratroopers from U.S. Army Europe’s 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) and Latvian Soldiers stand in formation during a ceremony commemorating new exercises here, April 24, 2014. The paratroopers, part of a company-sized contingent, arrived here to begin exercises with Latvian troops in a series of expanded U.S. land forces training activities in Poland and the Baltic region scheduled to take place for the next few months and beyond. The multinational training fulfills the USAREUR strategic objective of preserving and enhancing NATO interoperability and demonstrates the United States' commitment to NATO Allies.

1 photo: 173rd conducts unscheduled training with Latvian Army

Photo 1 of 1: RIGA, Latvia – Paratroopers from U.S. Army Europe’s 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) and Latvian Soldiers stand in formation during a ceremony commemorating new exercises here, April 24, 2014. The paratroopers, part of a company-sized contingent, arrived here to begin exercises with Latvian troops in a series of expanded U.S. land forces training activities in Poland and the Baltic region scheduled to take place for the next few months and beyond. The multinational training fulfills the USAREUR strategic objective of preserving and enhancing NATO interoperability and demonstrates the United States' commitment to NATO Allies. Download full-resolution version

WIESBADEN, Germany – Approximately 150 Soldiers from the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) in Vicenza, Italy arrived in Latvia April 24, 2014, to conduct small unit and leader training with members of the Latvian Army.

This exercise is the second in a series of expanded U.S. land force training activities in the region that are scheduled to take place for the next few months and beyond. This action comes at the request of the host nations in the region and further demonstrates US commitment to NATO.

The training, not previously scheduled, takes place as the United States continues to demonstrate solidarity with its NATO allies by increased land force presence in Poland and the Baltic States, an enhanced exercise schedule, and increased security cooperation measures with allies in the region.

Some of the other land forces exercises planned across Europe include: