The exercise is a part of Saber Junction 14, a multi-national exercise held from August 22 until September 14 in four countries simultaneously -- Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. The exercise is an international brigade level Command Field Exercise (CFX) focused on combined operations. The exercise involves troops from the US, Poland, Italy, Canada, Lithuania, Estonia, Bulgaria, Germany, the UK and Latvia.
One of the parts of the exercise has been held in Germany since August 22, where more than 140 Latvian troops attached to Swedish-led EU Nordic Battle Group have taken part. The Latvian troops had two basic tasks -- national certification of the Latvian unit for the EU Battle Group, and boosting cooperation with the US and other partner units.
The second part of the exercise, Steadfast Javelin II, launched Monday in Latvia and will last until September 10, with participation of troops from the US, Italy, Canada, Bulgaria, German and Latvia -- a total of 1,000 troops.
The US 173rd Airborne Brigade in Latvia will hold exercises of its air transportation and airborne operations at the Armed forces Aviation base in Lielvārde and the Ādaži Training Area. More than ten C-17, C-130 aircraft and more than ten helicopters, including Black Hawk, Chinook and Apache, will take part in the training drills.
