Director of Army Aviation visits US Soldiers at Lielvarde

Photo By Sgt. Shiloh Capers | LIELVĀRDE, Latvia — U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Erik C. Peterson, the Director of Army Aviation, refers to a guide while he speaks with enlisted Soldiers from 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York, at Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia, May 12. Maj. Gen. Peterson discusses Task Force Phoenix's presence in the Baltics, completed missions, and equipment operations. The unit is stationed in Lielvarde to conduct aviation operations in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. led NATO endeavor to promote peace in the region by deterring aggressive actions. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shiloh Capers)  

LATVIA

05.12.2017

Story by Sgt. Shiloh Capers 

7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

LIELVĀRDE, Latvia — Maj. Gen. Erik C. Peterson, the Director of Army Aviation, visited Soldiers at Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia, May 12. Peterson visited several locations on the airbase, to include the control tower, the hangar, and the dining facility.

At the tower, Peterson attended a brief conducted by U.S. Army Maj. Nathan Colvin, the officer in charge of operations for Task Force Baltic Phoenix, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.

The unit is deployed to Lielvarde to conduct aviation operations in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, which demonstrates U.S. commitment to NATO Allies and partners by rotating units throughout the European theater.

The brief discussed Task Force Phoenix's mission in the Baltics and the overall objective for 10th CAB in the region. Other topics discussed were the unit capabilities, training scenarios and future actions.

Departing to the hangar, Peterson met with a group of flight crew and aircraft mechanics, one of which was Sgt. Jourdain Knight, a flight instructor with 2nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.

Peterson inquired about the missions Task Force Phoenix has conducted since their arrival. He asked about mail, daily life and parts availability for the helicopters.

"He's very professional," Knight said. "You could tell he's a prior aviator… he definitely knows his way around the aircraft."

Peterson offered advice and equipment operations knowledge, Knight said.

"When you have somebody, who actually knows exactly what's going on and who knows the system as well as you, it's very impressive," Knight said.

Peterson ate lunch with Soldiers at the dining facility on Lielvarde before departing the air base.

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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: 05.12.2017
• Date Posted: 05.13.2017 03:46
• Story ID: 233681
• Location: LV