U.S. Soldiers train with Latvian NDA cadets

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jill People | Latvian National Defense Academy cadets become familiar with U.S. Army medical equipment as Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 68th Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, tighten straps on a casualty before movement in a theater on Adazi Military Base, Latvia on March 10, 2017. Another casualty, already treated for shock, lies nearby in a sked. The purpose of the refresher course was the Latvian cadets preparing for West Point's Sandhurst Competition in April. U.S. Army Soldiers and Latvian soldiers working together strengthens relationships between Allies in Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Shiloh Capers)  

ADAZI, LATVIA

03.10.2017

Story by Spc. Shiloh Capers 

7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

ADAZI, Latvia -- Cadets from Latvia's National Defense Academy attended a Tactical Combat Casualty Care course at the post theater on March 10, 2017 in preparation for West Point's Sandhurst Competition in April.

The medical skills training course was hosted by medics from 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, from Fort Carson, Colorado in Latvia to support Operation Atlantic Resolve.

"The Sandhurst Competition is an annual competition between various military academies across the world," said Pfc. Aleksis Ozolins, the team leader for the NDA. "We are really happy to be invited this year, to participate once again."

The cadets have completed their own medical skills training in Latvia, said Ozolins.

"But as we are training for the competition in the U.S., we should definitely train how they do in the U.S.," Ozolins said. "That's why we were really happy to cooperate with U.S. troops deployed here in Latvia. It's a good refreshment, but as well, there are many details which are good to know."

The Latvian cadets seek to improve on their Silver Standard Patch from last year. The team, made of nine participants and two alternates, began training after the new year.

U.S. forces were contacted and 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., 3rd ABCT responded within days. The presentation was styled as a refresher course, since slight differences exist in training styles and equipment.

As one of the demonstrators for combat care, Spc. Luke Pharis, a medic for Headquarters and Headquarters Company,1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., 3rd ABCT, assisted in supervising when Latvian cadets practiced on their fellow team members.

"I'm not too familiar with the competition itself," said Pharis. "So I don't know all they're going to have to do, but if it's just medical, I think they'll do pretty well."

Spc. Pharis was uncertain if other training for competitions were scheduled in the future, but he does look forward to participating in more training exercises with NATO Allies and partners during Operation Atlantic Resolve.

Operation Atlantic Resolve is a U.S. led effort in eastern Europe that demonstrates U.S. commitment to NATO interests. Training with U.S. Allies and partners in Europe provides unique opportunities for honing skills and working as a combined arms team with U.S. Allies.

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U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned in its 51st 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 partnership and enhance global security.

• Date Taken: 03.10.2017
• Date Posted: 03.12.2017 05:38
• Story ID: 226476
• Location: ADAZI, LV