US artillery and aviation units to be deployed in Latvia

RIGA - The US has approved plans on enhancing its military presence in the Baltic states, and US artillery and aviation units will be deployed in Latvia, LETA learned from the Defense Ministry. 

The decision entails US soldiers and military equipment to be deployed to Latvia on a heel-to-toe, rotational basis.

In the coming years the US will ensure the presence of rotational units in both the Adazi and the Lielvarde military bases, which will significantly contribute to deterrence and defense, as well as improve interoperability between the Latvian and the US armed forces.

In Latvia, initially the US armed forces plan to deploy artillery and aviation units, which is in line with the needs of the National Armed Forces defense capabilities.

“When our transatlantic partners talk about Baltic`s states defense, they do not joke around. The US government understands that deterrence is based on strong presence and cooperation. Our allies have always supported the independence of the Baltic States, and today, when assessing geopolitical risks, persuasively demonstrate that they will continue to do so,” said Defense Minister Artis Pabriks (Development/For), adding that talks at the NATO Summit in Madrid, as well as individual meetings with the US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, have been fruitful.

At the NATO Summit in Madrid, US President Jo Biden committed to enhanced rotational deployments and a heel-to-toe presence of US forces in the Baltic region. The forces the United States is deploying are part of that enhanced presence model and are evidence of the US commitment to strengthening our collective defense and deterrence posture on NATO’s eastern flank. In addition to US bilateral efforts, NATO’s multinational battle groups provide critical deterrence, training, and allied integration in the region.