Latvia: Canada leads NATO combat exercise near Russian border

NATO
Multinational Corps Northeast
March 25, 2023

NATO eFP Battlegroup Latvia proceeds with Combat Readiness Evaluation

SZCZECIN, Poland – Having completed their preparation exercise Wolverine Shield/Strike, NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroup Latvia has kicked off exercise Crystal Arrow 23, which will serve as a Combat Readiness Evaluation (CREVAL) test for this Canadian-led unit comprising multiple NATO Allies.

During this capstone exercise held at the Camp Ādaži military training area in Kadaga, Latvia, NATO’s eFP Battlegroup Latvia will confirm the efficiency of the multinational unit in conducting combat manoeuvres with Allied troops within the Latvian Mechanized Infantry Brigade.

“…the exercise was about bringing everyone together to perform and execute operations at the Battlgroup level. This was an opportunity for us to refine our Command and Control as well as interoperability among these elements,” said [Battlegroup Commander Lieutenant Colonel Craig] Higgins.

“…The purpose of exercise Crystal Arrow 23 is to train and evaluate the integration of the multinational eFP Battlegroup and the Danish Infantry Battalion into the Latvian Mechanized Infantry Brigade. During the exercise, the Battlegoup service members will train in Command-and-Control procedures, operation planning and execution, offensive and defensive tactics and the integration of Allied NATO nations.