Multinational exercise Silver Arrow 2022 closes with a bang

By Sgt. Lianne HiranoOctober 3, 2022

Silver Arrow 2022 Closes with a Bang!
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group vehicle provides direct fire as part of a live-fire demonstration at the closing event for Exercise Silver Arrow 2022 at Camp Adazi, Latvia, Sept. 29, 2022. Multiple NATO allies are proudly working alongside 1st Infantry Division and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Lianne Hirano) VIEW ORIGINAL
Silver Arrow 2022 Closes with a Bang!
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group vehicle fires a mortar round as part of a live-fire demonstration at the closing event for Exercise Silver Arrow 2022 at Camp Adazi, Latvia, Sept. 29, 2022. Multiple NATO allies are proudly working alongside 1st Infantry Division and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Lianne Hirano) VIEW ORIGINAL
Silver Arrow 2022 Closes with a Bang!
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Col. Richard J. Ikena Jr. (right), commander of the 1st Infantry Division Artillery, shares a laugh with Canadian Armed Forces Brig. Gen. Jean-Francois Cauden during the closing event for Exercise Silver Arrow 2022 at Camp Adazi, Latvia, Sept. 29, 2022. Multiple NATO allies are proudly working alongside 1st Infantry Division and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Lianne Hirano) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP ADAZI, Latvia — Multinational visitors from NATO visited the closing event for a live-fire demonstration of Exercise Silver Arrow, Sept. 29, 2022.

During this two-week long exercise, Silver Arrow brought 17 NATO allied armed forces units with over 4,000 military personnel and 1,000 vehicles together to develop relationships and capitalize allied and partner nation capabilities.

“The multinational NATO Exercise Silver Arrow is a training event every fall that allows the alliance to work through increasing our combat readiness as well as the interoperability between all the nations within our great alliance,” said Army Col. Richard J. Ikena Jr., 1st Infantry Division Artillery commander. “This is another great training event here in Latvia with the Latvian Mechanized Brigade and the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group.”

The final day of Silver Arrow 2022 consisted of NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group vehicles reacting to direct and indirect fire and breaching to showcase combat capabilities and readiness for defense and deterrence. The event also allowed distinguished visitors, such as U.S. Ambassador to Latvia, John Carwile, the chance to participate in the live-fire demonstration.

Silver Arrow 2022 Closes with a Bang!
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Col. Richard J. Ikena Jr., right, commander of the 1st Infantry Division Artillery (1 ID), and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael L. McLaughlin, command sergeant major of the 1 ID pose with U.S. Ambassador to Latvia John Carwile during the closing event for Exercise Silver Arrow 2022 at Camp Adazi, Latvia, Sept. 29, 2022. Multiple NATO allies are proudly working alongside 1st Infantry Division and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Lianne Hirano) VIEW ORIGINAL
Silver Arrow 2022 Closes with a Bang!
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Ambassador to Latvia, John Carwile, observes the Silver Arrow 2022 exercise live-fire demonstration closing event at Camp Adazi, Latvia, Sept. 29, 2022. Multiple NATO allies are proudly working alongside 1st Infantry Division and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Lianne Hirano) VIEW ORIGINAL

“This live-fire exercise was a great testament to the commitment of the unity of NATO,” said Carwile. “The United States’ presence here and our commitment to NATO, Latvia security and Baltic security is an impressive show of force.”

Silver Arrow being conducted in Europe demonstrates a strong U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.

“This training event was part of the Latvian overall national exercise of NAMEJS,” said Ikena. “This has been another great demonstration of the commitment and relationships and the enhancement of interoperability between all the forces here in Latvia during Exercise Silver Arrow.”

Silver Arrow 2022 Closes with a Bang!
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group vehicle provides direct fire as part of a live-fire demonstration at the closing event for Exercise Silver Arrow 2022 at Camp Adazi, Latvia, Sept. 29, 2022. Multiple NATO allies are proudly working alongside 1st Infantry Division and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Lianne Hirano) VIEW ORIGINAL
Silver Arrow 2022 Closes with a Bang!
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group vehicle tactically maneuvers towards the firing line as part of a live-fire demonstration at the closing event for Exercise Silver Arrow 2022 at Camp Adazi, Latvia, Sept. 29, 2022. Multiple NATO allies are proudly working alongside 1st Infantry Division and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Lianne Hirano) VIEW ORIGINAL

Silver Arrow 2022 is a long-planned exercise in line with NATO’s role as a defensive Alliance for more than 70 years, protecting one billion people in allied territory.

“The idea that NATO and United States forces can project power and force around the world sends a strong message of our resolve, not only in times of conflict, but also in times of peace,” Carwile said.

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