NATO Brigade begins full-scale drills in Latvia

Exercises to enhance regional security, interoperability

Drills mark significant milestone in NATO's enhanced Forward Presence

RIGA, Latvia - Full-scale military exercises involving a NATO brigade are set to begin in Latvia on November 1, marking a significant milestone in the alliance's efforts to enhance regional security and interoperability.

The drills, dubbed "Saber Strike 22," will involve approximately 2,000 troops from Latvia, the United States, Canada, and other NATO member states. The exercises will focus on a variety of scenarios, including defensive operations, live-fire exercises, and medical evacuation drills.

The exercises are part of NATO's enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) initiative, which was launched in 2014 in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea and its ongoing military aggression in eastern Ukraine. The eFP consists of four multinational battlegroups deployed to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.

The Latvian eFP battlegroup is led by Canada and includes troops from Albania, the Czech Republic, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.

The Saber Strike 22 exercises will take place at military training areas across Latvia, including the Adazi Training Ground, the largest military training facility in the Baltic states.

The exercises are expected to last for approximately two weeks and will involve a variety of live-fire exercises, including artillery, mortar, and tank fire.

The exercises will also include a medical evacuation drill, which will involve the evacuation of simulated casualties from the battlefield.

The Latvian Defense Ministry said that the Saber Strike 22 exercises are an important opportunity for NATO troops to train together and improve their interoperability.

The ministry added that the exercises will also help to strengthen NATO's deterrence and defense posture in the region.