Saber Strike training begins

  • 2014-06-09
  • From wire reports, TALLINN

On Monday, June 9, the U.S. European Command exercise Saber Strike, aimed at practicing cooperation of land force units, begins in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, reports Public Broadcasting.

The training exercise will be attended by more than 2,000 military from the Baltic States, the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Germany..

Estonia participates in the exercise with almost 400 military - Scoutsbattalion company practices cooperation with land force units at the Adazhi polygon in Latvia; in Tartu, the 1st Infantry Brigade Headquarters cooperates with headquarters of allies and battle flights are conducted by aircraft of allies from the Amari airbase.

Commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Aron Kalmus, said that the focal point of this year's exercise is on preparations for activities in the Baltic Battalion that will be formed in 2016.

On Thursday, eight U.S. Minnesota National Guard F-16 fighter jets arrived in Amari airbase, that are going to make battle flights over the Adazi polygon. Also KC-135 refueling tankers are located in Amari, as well as transport planes and naval aircraft P-8. Among Estonian Air Force units participating in the exercise, in addition to the support team, L-39 jets and air fire commanders participate.

Saber Strike is U.S. European Command exercise held in the Baltic countries since 2010. This year, Latvia is the lead state. The exercise ends on June 20.