Latvian Prime Minister Visits 1st CAB Soldiers on Lielvarde Air Base

Courtesy Photo | The Prime Minister of Latvia, Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš, and the US Embassy Chargé d'affaires, Paul Poletes, visited Task Force Nightmare North, 3-1 Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division on Aug. 30 to meet with soldiers and view the U.S. Army’s UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters.  

LIELVARDE, LATVIA

09.04.2019

Story by Capt. Matthew St Clair 

Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division

Lielvarde, Latvia – The Prime Minister of Latvia, Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš, and the US Embassy Chargé d'affaires, Paul Poletes, visited Task Force Nightmare North, 3-1 Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division on Aug. 30 to meet with soldiers and view the U.S. Army’s UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters.

The Prime Minister and Chargé received a briefing from Maj. Drew Curriston, Task Force Nightmare North Executive Officer, on the composition and capabilities of the U.S. Army aviation unit stationed at Lielvārde Air Base. Following the briefing, the delegation received an orientation of the UH-60 aircraft, and met with soldiers from the unit.

The Prime Minister was very interested in the capabilities of the UH-60 Blackhawk, as Latvia recently committed to purchasing four UH-60 helicopters within the next three years.

“I'm glad we were able to provide an opportunity for Minister Kariņš to get hands on experience with our Blackhawks while at Lielvarde, as they are an incredible aircraft that will provide the Latvian Air Force a lot of capability when they receive their UH-60Ms in the upcoming years,” said Curriston.

The Prime Minister was also interested in the partnered training between Task Force Nightmare North, the Latvian Land Force Brigade, and the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group stationed in Latvia.

"During our nine month rotation, 3-1 AHB has been able to conduct numerous training exercises as well as events with the local community and Latvian Air Force,” said Curriston. He added, “Our partnership at Lielvarde Air Base has been a great experience for us that has made both sides more ready for any mission.”

In addition to the U.S. Army briefing and orientation, the Latvian Air Force also provided briefings and conducted an orientation of their current MI-17 helicopters and Air Defense Artillery assets during the visit.

1st Lt. Chelsea Menser, the U.S. Army Mission Command Element Liaison Officer to the U.S. Embassy said, “Events like these allow for a better shared understanding and appreciation of the mission and support between the Host Nation and U.S. Forces.” She went on to say that it also, “…highlights the training and partnerships the unit has developed with the Latvian Land and Air Forces over the last nine months.”

Task Force Nightmare North, 3-1 Assault Helicopter Battalion is currently on a rotation in Europe as part of the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade during their Atlantic Resolve mission. The unit will redeploy back to Fort Riley, KS within the next few months and will be replaced by the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade from Savannah, GA.

• Date Taken: 09.04.2019
• Date Posted: 09.04.2019 04:54
• Story ID: 338247
• Location: LIELVARDE, LV