Thirteen UH-60 and HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters have arrived in Latvia, according to a news release put out by country’s Defense Ministry.
Additionally, 150 soldiers from the 3rd battalion of the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade have arrived and will be stationed here on a rotational basis as part of the Atlantic Resolve operation.
According to LSM.LV, they will fulfill support operations in the National Armed Forces base in Lielvārde.
The troops will train together with troops of the National Armed Forces and soldiers from the NATO forward presence group.
The new U.S. rotation will see the personnel training together with the servicemen of the Latvian National Armed Forces and the allied soldiers from the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroup deployed to Latvia as well as participating in military exercises. The new U.S. contingent is expected to stay in Latvia for nine months.
Operation Atlantic Resolve is described as a demonstration of U.S. commitment to collective security in the region.
Operation Atlantic Resolve are ongoing efforts in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, mainly the War in Donbass. It is funded under the European Reassurance Initiative. All U.S. efforts in support of NATO fall under the umbrella of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
The U.S. is taking measures to enhance NATO military plans and defense capabilities and remains committed to maintaining a persistent presence in Central Europe and Eastern Europe.
There are three types of Atlantic Resolve rotations – armored, aviation and logistical (known as a sustainment task force). These rotations are overseen by the Mission Command Element, a regionally aligned headquarters based in Poznan, Poland.
These deployments of ready, combat-credible U.S. forces to Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve is evidence of the strong and unremitting U.S. commitment to NATO and Europe.