HOHENFELS, Germany - They wear three different uniforms, speak three different languages and represent three different nations, but they are training here at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center for the same purpose.  Citizen-Soldiers from the Michigan Army National Guard are teaming with soldiers from Latvia and Afghanistan for a nine-month tour in Afghanistan. They are here in the final stages of their training as they prepare to launch the mission next month.  This mission is a first for Latvia, one of the three Baltic States captured by the former Soviet Union in the aftermath of World War II. Since regaining its independence, Latvia has been training alongside Guard Soldiers from the Wolverine State in the Partnership for Peace, which pairs former Warsaw Pact nations with National Guard units from states across the USA.

The Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF) have participated in the ISAF mission since February 2003. To date there are 175 Latvian military personnel serving in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. On 7 November, 2008, the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team was sent to the provinces of Kunar and Nurestan in Eastern Afghanistan. This group’s task is to train the soldiers of the Afghan National Army and to participate with them in the ISAF operations. In support of a comprehensive approach to Afghanistan’s reconstruction, a Political and Development Advisor of the Foreign Ministry of Latvia was staying in Faryab Province from 21 August 2007 to 25 March 2009 and was co-ordinating the Latvian government’s development projects. Latvia has provided significant support for the development of the rule of law in Faryab Province and of its infrastructure. During the period of 2008-2009, Latvia contributed with LVL 569,367 towards the implementation of development co-operation projects. Some of the most successful projects that have been carried out are as follows: the water collection and supply project launched in May 2008, thus providing around 4800 inhabitants with drinking water; a newly opened police station in February 2009; the project of building three court houses and the training of judges and prosecutors in summer 2009. The Saeima has extended the participation of the Latvian troops in NATO-led operations in Afghanistan until 13 October 2010.