Left to proper, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Lawrence Schloegl, assistant adjutant general-Army, Latvian Ambassador Māris Selga, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, adjutant basic and director, Michigan Division of Army and Veterans Affairs, Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš, and Protection Attaché Maj. Gen. Andis Dilāns tour the third Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment plane facility, Grand Ledge Armory, Michigan, July 1, 2022. For almost 30 years, the Michigan Nationwide Guard and Latvia have partnered underneath the Division of Protection Nationwide Guard Bureau State Partnership Program. (U.S. Air Nationwide Guard picture by Grasp Sgt. David Eichaker)
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LANSING, Mich. – For almost 30 years, the Michigan Nationwide Guard and the Nationwide Armed Forces of Latvia have collaborated underneath the Division of Protection Nationwide Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.
On July 1, Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš visited with Michigan Guard leaders for the primary time on the Michigan Joint Forces Headquarters in Lansing. His go to took on added significance as america and Latvia rejoice 100 years of diplomatic relations.
“One of many inspiring components of my workplace is working with the army,” mentioned Kariņš. “The respect and shut cooperation with Michigan is very appreciated, not solely among the many army however throughout the society as an entire.”
Latvia, an necessary NATO ally within the Baltic area, gained its independence from the Russian Empire in 1918. America established diplomatic relations with Latvia July 28, 1922, and by no means acknowledged the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics’ occupation and forcible annexation of Latvia in 1940. Latvia restored its independence in 1991 because the Soviet Union collapsed.
Michigan and Latvia have notably shut ties, as Michigan has one of many largest Latvian-American populations within the nation.
“Michigan is happy with its shut relationship with Latvia, which has proven its worth not solely although quite a few mixed deployments, coaching workouts and initiatives underneath the SPP but additionally within the wealthy Latvian-American group that calls Michigan dwelling,” mentioned Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, adjutant basic and director of the Michigan Division of Army and Veterans Affairs. “We’re honored to welcome Prime Minister Kariņš to Michigan, particularly as we rejoice 100 years of diplomatic relations between our two international locations.”
Throughout their go to, the 2 leaders mentioned long-range precision fires, air-to-ground improvement, and the Michigan Nationwide Guard’s marquee train, Northern Strike. Northern Strike is a multicomponent train to construct readiness and improve interoperability with allied forces, and it’s held on the Nationwide All-Area Warfighting Heart in Northern Michigan.
“Northern Strike wouldn’t be the identical with out Latvia’s participation. They’ve been there since Day One when the train collection started near 10 years in the past,” mentioned Rogers. “This yr would be the largest Northern Strike train but with about 8,000 individuals.”
Kariņš listened as Michigan Nationwide Guard leaders recounted how Troopers from Michigan and Latvia educated, fought and died collectively within the struggle in Afghanistan. Two Latvian personnel killed in motion on mixed deployments with the Michigan Nationwide Guard are memorialized with fallen Michigan Troopers within the “Corridor of Honor” at Michigan’s Joint Forces Headquarters.
“You must work side-by-side and face robust challenges and overcome these challenges collectively,” mentioned Rogers. “By means of that have of true partnership, our Troopers and Airmen have been enriched and are extra conscious of how the world actually works.”
Initiatives on the horizon for the Michigan-Latvia relationship embody an innovation partnership with Riga Technological Institute, strengthening information sharing and command and management capabilities, and continued participation in joint workouts like Northern Strike.
Karins’ go to was adopted on July 2 by a particular tribute to Latvia by the U.S. Air Power Thunderbirds, who met with Latvian Ambassador Māris Selga and Protection Attaché Maj. Gen. Andis Dilāns in Michigan on the Battle Creek Discipline of Flight Air Present.
“The dedication between Latvia and the Michigan Nationwide Guard continues to strengthen. We’re of like minds and can at all times be there as a companion,” mentioned Rogers. “We’re dedicated to assist Latvia any means doable and proceed to intensify the worth of our coaching and partnership initiatives.”
