Zobens Exercise kicks off in Latvia with U.S. Paratroopers

Photo By Corinna Baltos | REZEKNE, Latvia – Paratroopers from Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), stand in formation Sept. 24 during the Opening Ceremonies for Exercise Zobens. The ceremony marked the start of the 30-hour continuous exercise that the Paratroopers are taking part in with their Latvian and Lithuanian counterparts. The Paratroopers arrived in Latvia last week to begin a six-month rotation to train with their Latvian partners as part of Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. led effort being conducted in Eastern Europe to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region. 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.  

REZEKNE, LATVIA

09.24.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Corinna Baltos 

24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

REZEKNE, Latvia – Hundreds of Soldiers from Lithuania and Latvia joined Paratroopers from the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat (Airborne) on a rain-swept airfield Sept. 24 to mark the official start of Exercise Zobens.

Zobens is a Latvian hosted 30 – hour continuous exercise designed to test the nation’s ability to work with different internal and external agencies to marshal their capabilities and defend their position. These forces included a Latvian National Guard Battalion, a Land Army Infantry Battalion and Latvian Border Patrol.

The Latvian Land Forces and the Latvian National Guard form the land warfare branch of the National Armed Forces.

Latvian Lt. Col. Ervins Kopeika, commander of the 2nd Latvian National Guard Region, opened the ceremony by saying, “this exercise will help us prepare for our national defense. Thanks to our Lithuanian and American allies, it is bigger than we originally expected.”

He went on to say that he was very pleased to have Paratroopers from Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat (Airborne), taking part in his exercise.

“We are proud to have such an elite American unit here today providing our Soldiers with opposing forces. It is a great achievement.”

The Paratroopers arrived in Latvia two-weeks ago to take part in a six-month rotation to train with their Latvian partners as part of Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. led effort being conducted in Eastern Europe to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.
Over the next several months the Paratroopers will work closely with allies here to refine their skills, and establish relationships that will increase security in the region and enhance both the U.S. and Latvian militaries’ ability to work effectively together to deter potential threats.


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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.

• Date Taken: 09.24.2016
• Date Posted: 09.25.2016 09:47
• Story ID: 210524
• Location: REZEKNE, LV