Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Overseas Operations
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Baltic's Exercise Saber Strike 2014 showcases international cooperation By Sgt. 1st Class Billie Jo Lorius
                North Dakota National Guard
 ADAZI, Latvia – U.S. Army Europe and its regional partners in the Baltic region kicked off a joint, multinational military exercise called “Saber Strike” Monday at the Adazi Training Area. The exercise is scheduled from June 9 - 20 and spans multiple locations in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, and involves approximately 4,700 personnel from 10 countries. Latvia, the host nation for this year’s exercise, held the opening ceremony with the exercise co-director, Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) Brig. Gen. Ainārs Ozoliņš presiding. “Each year the exercise expands, by unit, by equipment and by nations. I am happy to see all the military units and personnel here because it is important to be together with one goal and I believe we are always our strongest when we work together. This is a great opportunity for our militaries to share their experience and knowledge and use best practices,” Ozoliņš said. The Saber Strike exercise program, now in its fourth year, is part of an ongoing USAREUR cooperative training effort primarily focused on the three Baltic States: Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The exercise is designed to promote regional stability, strengthen international military partnerships, enhance multinational interoperability and prepare participants for worldwide contingency operations. “It is a great honor and responsibility to host Saber Strike and we strongly appreciate your contributions and willingness to boost training in the region,” said Latvian Minister of Defense Raimonds Vejonis. “Persistent Presence in the region is the best solution to bringing higher security.” This year’s exercise includes participation from: U.S. Air Force Europe; Air National Guard from Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Washington; Army National Guard from Louisiana, Michigan, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Utah; Canada; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; Latvia; Lithuania; Norway; Poland and United Kingdom. This is the first year Denmark and Canada have participated in the exercise. The exercise trains participants on command and control and interoperability with regional partners. It is comprised of a brigade-level command post exercise and computer-assisted exercise occurring at various sites in Lithuania and Estonia, including locations near Tartu, Vilnius, Pabrade, Amari and Tapa, as well as company-level field and situational training exercises taking place at the Adazi Training Area, Latvia. Saber Strike 2014 also features the integration of U.S. close air support with partner nation ground forces. All activities highlight joint, multinational training among the participating nations and are designed to improve operational capability in a variety of missions. Units from USAREUR include the headquarters, Joint Multinational Simulation Center, 15th Engineer Platoon, 12th Cavalry, 19th Battlefield Coordination Detachment, Joint Multinational Readiness Center, 5th Signal Command, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, and 18th Engineer Brigade and 234th Engineer Detachment. The Pennsylvania and Michigan Army National Guard are also participating in both the command-post exercise with a command and control element and the field-training exercise with a platoon of light infantry. “The strong bonds of friendship formed throughout the exercise will form inseparable relationships in the future and I am confident we will continue to show the world we are a shining example of interoperability,” said Maj. Gen. Mark McQueen, exercise co-director. The United States does not ever want to go alone and we have a strategic partnership in the Baltics. We partners are committed to the defense of freedom and standing against tyranny.” U.S. Air Forces in Europe are providing the 435th Contingency Response Group for aerial port capabilities, and the 435th Air-Ground Operations Wing and the 37th Airlift Squadron are forward deploying forces and equipment by C-130. The Minnesota Air National Guard is providing F-16 close air support aircraft and the Michigan and Pennsylvania Air National Guard are supporting with KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft. The North Dakota National Guard’s 116th Public Affairs Detachment is providing media support and coverage of the event.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 Saber Strike opening ceremony
 Saber Strike shows international cooperation
 NY National Guard Strengthens Bonds with Allies in Morocco Overseas Operations • 6 days ago
 Alaska Guard Soldiers Honored Before Middle East Deployment Overseas Operations • 13 days ago
 29th Infantry Division HQ Heads Exercise Immediate Response Overseas Operations • 18 days ago
 134th Medical Company Joins Combined Resolve Exercise Overseas Operations • 19 days ago
 Guard Soldiers, Czech Partners Celebrate Victory in Europe Day Overseas Operations • 21 days ago
 2024 (24)  2023 (57)  2022 (71)  2021 (58)  2020 (41)  2019 (56)  2018 (55)  2017 (46)  2016 (31)  2015 (36)  2014 (48)  2013 (64)  2012 (134)  2011 (163)  2010 (179)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil