‘Sky Soldiers’ conduct training at former Russian facility in Latvia

Photo By Maj. Ryan Jernegan | Pfc. Michael Mijares, right, a native of Plainfield, Ill., leads another Soldier from Attack Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade as they conduct an entry into an objective building during building clearing training held at an abandoned Russian radar facility in Skrunda, Latvia, July 22. The training, which includes Soldiers from 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, demonstrates the U.S. commitment to the Baltic region. Soldiers from 173rd Airborne Brigade are deployed throughout Eastern Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, an ongoing multinational partnership focused on joint training and security cooperation with U.S. Army allies. (U.S. Army Photo by Capt. Ryan Jernegan, 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)  

SKRUNDA, LATVIA

07.22.2015

Story by Capt. Ryan Jernegan 

7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

SKRUNDA, Latvia — Soldiers from Attack Company, along with 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade conducted mutually beneficial training at an abandoned Russian radar facility here July 22. The training, which included explosive breaching and building clearing techniques, further demonstrated the commitment and continued partnership between the U.S. Army and NATO allies in Eastern Europe.

The ‘Sky Soldiers’ employed a variety of explosives to provide a realistic training experience as
well as to enhance proficiency with all of the resources available to the maneuver unit.

Another of those resources is the training area provided by the abandoned buildings located in Skrunda that once housed Russian troops as they monitored radar equipment at the site. As the area has rapidly deteriorated over the last 15 years as it has been uninhabited, it is just the type of location that allows the kind of dynamic training that is vital for the continued partnership between the U.S. and its allies.

Despite the remote location, the Soldiers expressed satisfaction that they are able to train with hands-on, realistic conditions that afford them a real opportunity to fully integrate all of their collective training.

Soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade and 54th BEB are currently deployed throughout Europe as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, an ongoing, multinational partnership focused on joint training and security cooperation between the U.S. and other NATO allies.

Visit the Operation Atlantic Resolve website for up-to-date photos and information.

• Date Taken: 07.22.2015
• Date Posted: 07.26.2015 09:52
• Story ID: 171138
• Location: SKRUNDA, LV