LIELVARDE, Latvia - Latvian Zemessardze Armed Forces Land Component Commander, Lieutenant General Raimonds Graube and his staff visited Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers of the Unmanned Aerial Surveillance platoon at Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia on May 13, 2014. LTG Graube was briefed on UAS platoon capabilities by Capt. Mark Wurth and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jimmy Huck.
Company Commander Capt. Mark Wurth initiated the briefing process. Wurth said, "I wanted Lt. Gen. Graube to see what assets we brought and have a better understanding of how we deployed our unit here from Michigan. As soon as our set up is complete, Lt. Gen. Graube knows we are ready to conduct missions. My troops are rested, motivated and ready to fly."
Graube and his staff were given a walking tour of the equipment in the hangar and airfield. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jimmy Huck briefed Graube on the Shadow UAS aircraft, ground control stations, launcher and portable ground control station unit. Huck said, "LTG Graube wanted information on how our aircraft can help the ground troops. The Latvian military is evaluating the benefits of UAS aircraft and our briefings gave him more information to help the Latvian Ministry of Defense make an educated decision on their use."
Before departing, Graube thanked the UAS platoon and Capt. Wurth. Graube said, "The situation in our region is tense and it is good that NATO is making its presence known. It is also a good thing that our friends and longtime partners from the Michigan National Guard are standing by us during this troubled time. The training we will conduct together will better allow us to choose similar UAS equipment and improve the Latvian interoperability with partner militaries. We Latvians thank you for your assistance in these difficult times."
The Shadow platoon is a part of the Michigan based B Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Military Intelligence Company (MICO).
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