Zobens Exercise kicks off in Latvia with U.S. Paratroopers

REZEKNE, Latvia – Paratroopers from Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), stand in formation Sept. 24 during the Opening Ceremonies for Exercise Zobens. The ceremony marked the start of the 30-hour continuous exercise that the Paratroopers are taking part in with their Latvian and Lithuanian counterparts. The Paratroopers arrived in Latvia last week to begin a six-month rotation to train with their Latvian partners as part of Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. led effort being conducted in Eastern Europe to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region. The 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy, is the Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, and is capable of projecting forces to conduct a full range of military operations across the United States European, Central and Africa Command areas of responsibility within 18 hours.