Fort Stewart hosts Latvian Minister of Defense

Photo By Staff Sgt. Richard Wrigley | Latvia's Minister of Defense, Raimond Vejonis, receives a brief on the capabilities of the Greyeagle, by Soldiers of the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, here April 22. The 3rd ID has partnered with many of our Baltic Allies, conducting operations in the Eastern Bloc in order to counter increased Russian aggression in The Ukraine in an operation dubbed Operation Atlantic Resolve. Currently, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment “Cottonbalers,” 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team is operating in Latvia. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Richard Wrigley 3rd ID, Public Affairs)  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

04.26.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Richard Wrigley 

3rd Infantry Division

FORT STEWART, Ga. -- The last two months have seen a lot of action in the Eastern Bloc. The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team “Raiders,” 3rd Infantry Division, has deployed to Europe and taken up the mantle of partnership with our NATO allies in order to deter Russian aggression in what has been dubbed ‘Operation Atlantic Resolve.’

Indeed, the Raiders have been very busy. They have been training alongside the armed forces of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland. All across the Baltic States, the Raiders have been showing their NATO partners the 3rd ID fighting power, as well as reaching out to the local European communities and ensuring them of the United States commitment to security in the region.

In particular, the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment “Cottonbalers,” have been very active in Latvia. From demonstrating the awesome fire power of the M1A2 Abrams Tank, to helping with the country’s national cleanup endeavor, the Cottonbalers truly have embraced the Latvians as equal partners in European security.

Latvian Minister of Defense, Raimond Vejonis, said as much when he visited Fort Stewart with a message of thanks during a diplomatic visit, here April 22.

“Minister Vejonis was incredibly gracious for our support and appreciative of our families,” Brig. Gen. Jim Blackburn, commander, Task Force Marne, 3rd ID said of the MoD’s visit.

Indeed, one of the first things the MoD did was meet with the family members of the Cottonbalers, and thank all of them for their sacrifice, as their Soldiers are currently operating in Latvia.

“I met with several 3rd Infantry Division soldiers in Latvia just 10 days ago and it was so nice to meet with spouses and family members here, today, to pass on greetings from the soldiers,” said Vejonis.

The MoD is not the only one impressed with the Cottonbalers conduct in the Baltic states.

“Our resolve as an alliance is demonstrated tangibly by the Cottonbalers’ exceptional performance,” Blackburn said.

Indeed, the NATO partnership is important for both the Latvians and the United States.

“I think this combined training and cooperation is very beneficial and important to both countries,” Vejonis said.

“The bottom line is that the United States and Latvia are allies working together, and we make a team that is inherently stronger than either one alone,” said Blackburn. “The United States, the Army, and the 3rd Infantry Division remain committed to the success and security of our Eastern Bloc allies.”

• Date Taken: 04.26.2015
• Date Posted: 04.27.2015 20:45
• Story ID: 161455
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US