U.S. rotates 'Atlantic Resolve' equipment at Rīga port

"This is the third port operation in support of the 2nd ABCT’s Atlantic Resolve rotation this month, with earlier port operations in Vlissingen, Netherlands and Aarhus, Denmark bringing in more than 2,500 vehicles and equipment items in total," said the news item by Eleanor Prohaska.

This is not the first time the Arc Defender has been seen in Latvian waters, with the ship previously calling in at the port of Liepāja.  

The transfer of materiel comes as part of the U.S.' regular regional rotations under the Atlantic Resolve banner with the 2nd ABCT replacing the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. The 4th ID HQ will replace the 1st Infantry Division Headquarters.

"Soldiers from 21st TSC’s 16th Sustainment Brigade will assist the 7th Mission Support Command’s 151st Movement Control Team, 446th Movement Control Battalion, in coordination with the 838th Transportation Battalion, 598th Transportation Brigade (Surface Deployment and Distribution Command), host nation support and commercial organizations, to discharge and stage equipment and vehicles, including Paladin self-propelled howitzers, armored ammunition carriers, joint logistics tactical vehicles and other wheeled and tracked vehicles for onward movement to eastern Europe," said the website.

“Working with the host nation as well as the Latvian military has been extremely helpful, as they are very invested in helping us complete our mission,” said 151st MCT movements control officer, 1st Lt. Fernando Garcia. “We have a very detailed plan and are executing with minimal deficiencies to mitigate delays.”

Since April 2014 Atlantic Resolve has put in place ready, combat-capable forces able to conduct extensive bilateral, joint, and multilateral training throughout its deployments to more than a dozen countries in Europe.