REZEKNE, Latvia -- After 30 hours of continues operations, Exercise Zobens has come to a close for the U.S., Latvian and Lithuania forces that participated in this Latvia led training event.
The exercise, which began Sept. 24, featured hundreds of Soldiers from Lithuania and Latvia as well as Paratroopers from the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat (Airborne). The exercise, hosted by the Latvian Armed Forces, was designed to strengthen interoperability both internally and externally with NATO allies.
"It was important that our Lithuanian an American allies joined us in this exercise," said Janis Garisons, Latvian State Secretary, Ministry of Defense. "Our strength is in our ability to train and operate together."
The exercise tested Latvia's ability to marshal capabilities and defend a position using a mixture of Land Forces, National Guard units and border patrol units, as well as work with their allied partners.
Paratroopers from Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat (Airborne), along with elements from the Latvian mechanized infantry battalion, served as the opposing force for Latvian forces.
"It was great working with the Latvians," said 1st Lt. Nils Olsen, a platoon leader with Chosen Company. "They challenged us, we learned a lot from them. While there were the obvious language and equipment differences, tactically we were able to accomplish our mission."
Latvian Lt. Col. Ervins Kopeika, commander of the 2nd Latvian National Guard Region, said that the ability or the three nations to overcome their institutional and language differences and conduct the mission, was one of the hallmarks of success.
"We got the best units in Lithuania and the United States to train with us," said Kopeika. "The exercise was difficult, but you are standing here today, at the end with smiles on your faces, even though you are tired. That is good. That means you got something out of it. The best memories come from hard training."
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The 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy, is the Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, and is capable of projecting forces to conduct a full range of military operations across the United States European, Central and Africa Command areas of responsibility within 18 hours.
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U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned in its 51 country area of responsibility to advance American strategic interests in Europe and Eurasia. The relationships we build during more than 1,000 theater security cooperation events in more than 40 countries each year lead directly to support for multinational contingency operations around the world, strengthen regional partnerships and enhance global security.
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