USAREUR CG visits Saber Strike 2013 situational training exercise in Latvia

By Staff Sgt. Brooks Fletcher, U.S. Army Europe Public AffairsJune 10, 2013

USAREUR CG visits Saber Strike 2013 situational training exercise in Latvia
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Europe Commanding General Lt. Gen. Donald Campbell, along with officers from Latvian National Armed Forces, Estonia Defense Forces, Lithuanian Armed Forces view a demonstration by Deployable Instrumentation System Europe during situational ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
USAREUR CG visits Saber Strike 2013 situational training exercise in Latvia
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An Estonian Soldier talks with U.S. Army Europe Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Donald Campbell during a close air support demonstration as part of a situational training exercise on Adazi Training Area, Latvia, June 6. Saber Strike 2013 is a U.S. Army ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ADAZI, Latvia -- U.S. Army Europe Commanding General Lt. Gen. Donald Campbell concluded his visit to Exercise Saber Strike 2013 here, June 6.

Campbell previously visited Pabrade, Lithuania, June 5, to tour the establishment of USAREUR's Contingency Command Post and view a demonstration by the Estonian military in conjunction with U.S. Air Forces in Europe's Expeditionary Medical Support capability.

With Saber Strike 2013 in full swing, participating units and nations have demonstrated a variety of joint capabilities and interoperability, all in the name of sustaining and enhancing multinational partnership.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to be here," Campbell said. "Seeing the [Command Post Exercise] in Lithuania and now here for the Situational-Training Exercise; [Saber Strike] demonstrates the commitment and resolve that our nations have."

The two-week exercise spans multiple locations throughout Lithuania, this year's host nation, Latvia, and Estonia, which involves approximately 2,000 personnel from 14 countries. This year's exercise also includes participation from Finland, France, Great Britain, Poland, NATO's Multinational Corps Northeast, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, the U.S. Army and Air National Guards, and U.S. Army Cadet Command. Norway and Sweden have provided observers.

Campbell's visit allowed him the opportunity to witness USAREUR's expeditionary capabilities and multinational-field training involving company-level infantry scenarios with integration of close-air support. The exercise also implements the Deployable Instrumentation System Europe equipment, an interactive battlefield-training system that provides real-time data and effects from all weapon systems employed in the exercise.

Campbell also provided his thoughts on the future of U.S. Army Europe's relationship with its Baltic partners.

"The future is tremendous," Campbell concluded. "As we go forward I think that it is even more important that we stay connected and train together in exercises, making sure we continue to gain from the lesson we've learned over the last few years. I'm excited to go back and work with my team and three nations to see how we can continue to improves upon in next year. It's my goal and I'm committed to continuing to work to do so."

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