Commander of the U.S. European Command visits Latvia

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jill People | Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, the commander of the U.S. European Command and the Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO Allied Command Operations, has lunch with and visits with Latvian soldiers and Solders of 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, Colo., March 15, 2017, showing NATO Command support and strides toward globally integrated operations as a part of Operation Atlantic Resolve. The training conducted through Operation Atlantic Resolve reassure NATO Allies and strengthen deterrence capabilities with partnered forces. Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. led effort in eastern Europe, demonstrates U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Charlene Moler, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)  

LATVIA

03.15.2017

Story by Spc. Shiloh Capers 

7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

ADAZI, Latvia — Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, the commander of the U.S. European Command and the Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO Allied Command Operations, arrived at approximately noon on March 15 in Adazi for a lunch with U.S. and Latvian soldiers.

Scaparrotti then met with Soldiers who are deployed in the region as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. led NATO endeavor to ensure peace and stability by deterring aggressive actions.

For 45 minutes, the general stayed at the dining facility to eat lunch and then walked around to various tables.

Spc. Shannon Khoury, a combat engineer with Company A, 588th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo., sat on the left side of the general at the table.

The general inquired about the Soldier's quality of life, training and sense of the mission for Operation Atlantic Resolve, Spc. Khoury said.

Only a few days ago, Khoury became the first Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) driver to qualify on the .50 caliber machine gun in her unit.

Scaparrotti gave out the U.S. European Command coin to his table of 14, equally split between U.S. and Latvian forces.

Afterward, Scaparrotti walked around the dining facility, meeting various enlisted Soldiers and officers of the two forces.

Scaparrotti also met with the Latvian Defense Minister Raimonds Bergmanis and recently promoted Chief of Defense Maj. Gen. Leonids Kalnins to discuss security and bilateral defense cooperation between the U.S. and Latvia.

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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: 03.15.2017
• Date Posted: 03.15.2017 12:38
• Story ID: 226920
• Location: LV