Exercise “Winter Shield 2020”

From 21 November to 4 December, Latvia hosts international military exercise “Winter Shield” to test and upgrade the combat capabilities of Latvian and allied Armed forces units along with their integration and interoperability within Baltic region’s collective defence system.

Participants of military exercise “Winter Shield” include military personnel from Land Force Mechanised Infantry Brigade, National Guard, Special Operations Command, NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group deployed to Latvia, Baltic Battalion and US Special Operations Command Europe. 

Baltic Battalion and NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Latvia will use “Winter Shield” to practice joint regional defence operations and demonstrate compatibility and mobility of their units. 

A significant aspect of the exercise is also air to land integration with various air assets, including “AH-64 Apache” Attack Helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade falling under US Army Europe (USAREUR) and Operation “Atlantic Resolve”. 

“Winter Shield” exercise includes joint special operations training for Special Operations Command, National Guard Special Operations Unit and US Special Operations Command Europe units. 

“Winter Shield” special operations component includes joint training activities for National Armed Forces units, US Special Forces and NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Latvia. The aim of the training is to test the integration and joint operations capabilities, i.e. the ability to work together with National Guard and Land Force Mechanised Infantry Brigade units to improve command and control, coordination, interoperability and compatibility.