Photo By Master Sgt. Helen Miller | Staff Sgt Steven Lyon, gun chief, 1st Battalion, 119th Field Artillery, Michigan...... read more read more
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Capt. Aivars Dringis, a battery commander for the Latvian field artillery, talks about this exercise saying, "This is my second year working with the Americans. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends and work with the soldiers from America to learn the operation of the guns properly. I also like the world to see that the American soldiers and the Latvian soldiers are working together and are here for each other."
Dringis also said he has not had the opportunity to come to America and train but he is hoping he will be able to do so someday. "If I am ever given the opportunity to train in Grayling, Michigan, with the 119th I will be very happy to do so."
This is Spc. Erik Matson's first time traveling outside the United States. "Even though, as a college student I had to work with my professors to take exams off schedule, it was an amazing opportunity I couldn't pass up," Matson said. "There is a bit of a language barrier, working with the Latvians but we are finding ways to make it work."
The 119th will work with the Latvians through April 30, which will include a three-day live-fire field exercise, and a cultural day, where the U.S. Soldiers will get the opportunity to tour Old Town Riga, Latvia, and learn more about the history and culture of their state partners.
| Date Taken: | 04.21.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.22.2016 13:10 |
| Story ID: | 196244 |
| Location: | MICHIGAN, US |
| Web Views: | 138 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Michigan's 119th Field Artillery train with their Latvian state partners, by MSG Helen Miller, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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