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US Special Forces teams deployed to Latvia and Lithuania have been training with their NATO Allies in the Baltics, improving their ability to work together in times of crisis.

US Special Forces (SF) teams deployed to Latvia and Lithuania have been training with their NATO Allies in the Baltics, improving their ability to work together in times of crisis.

In Latvia, US SF soldiers trained Latvian Zemessardze (National Guard) soldiers in small-unit tactics and conducted a high-altitude, low-opening parachute jump alongside their counterparts in the Latvian Special Operations Unit. In Lithuania, the US SF soldiers trained the Lithuanian Border Guard’s newly formed Special Tasks Unit (STU) in patrolling and ambush techniques. Where necessary, activities were conducted in accordance with the proper measures to halt the spread of COVID-19.

Footage includes shots of US SF soldiers training with their Allies in Latvia and Lithuania. Interviews with Renars, a Latvian Zemessardze Corporal; Rīcardas Nariūnas, Commander of the Lithuanian STU; and a US Special Forces operator.

1. (00:00) VARIOUS SHOTS – US SPECIAL FORCES SERGEANT SPEAKING TO LITHUANIAN BORDER GUARD SPECIAL TASKS UNIT (STU)
2. (00:15) MEDIUM SHOT – US SERGEANT CREATING DIAGRAM OF AMBUSH TACTICS WITH STICKS AND PINECONES
3. (00:21) MEDIUM SHOT – LITHUANIAN FLAG PATCH
4. (00:25) VARIOUS SHOTS – LITHUANIAN STU OFFICERS PATROLLING THROUGH THE WOODS
5. (01:01) MEDIUM SHOT – LITHUANIAN STU OFFICER HOLDING MP-5 SUBMACHINE GUN WITH US SPECIAL FORCES TRAINER IN BACKGROUND
6. (01:05) CLOSE-UP – LITHUANIAN STU OFFICER
7. (01:09) VARIOUS SHOTS – LITHUANIAN STU OFFICERS PATROLLING THROUGH THE WOODS
8. (01:18) MEDIUM SHOT – LATVIAN ZEMESSARDZE SOLDIERS UNLOADING FROM BACK OF TRUCK
9. (01:22) MEDIUM SHOT – LATVIAN SOLDIER WATCHING HIS SECTOR
10. (01:26) VARIOUS SHOTS – US SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIERS OBSERVING LATVIAN SOLDIERS
11. (01:37) MEDIUM SHOTS – US SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIER ADVISING LATVIAN OFFICER
12. (01:41) VARIOUS SHOTS – LATVIAN SOLDIERS PATROLLING THROUGH THE WOODS
13. (01:51) VARIOUS SHOTS – US SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIER ADVISING LATVIAN OFFICER
14. (02:02) CLOSE-UP – US SPECIAL FORCES PATCH
15. (02:05) MEDIUM SHOT – LATVIAN OFFICER TALKING TO SOLDIERS
16. (02:08) VARIOUS SHOTS – LATVIAN SOLDIERS RAIDING BUILDING AS PART OF TRAINING SCENARIO
17. (02:48) VARIOUS SHOTS – LATVIAN SOLDIERS BEING DEBRIEFED BY US SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIERS
18. (03:06) VARIOUS SHOTS – US SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIER GETTING HIS HIGH-ALTITUDE JUMP EQUIPMENT CHECKED BY JUMP MASTER
19. (03:19) MEDIUM SHOT – JUMPERS IN SILHOUETTE
20. (03:24) VARIOUS SHOTS – JUMPERS WALKING TO LATVIAN AIR FORCE AN-2 TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT
21. (03:32) MEDIUM SHOT – US JUMP MASTER TALKING TO LATVIAN SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIT JUMP MASTER
22. (03:36) MEDIUM SHOT – LATVIAN AIR FORCE AN-2 COCKPIT
23. (03:41) VARIOUS SHOTS – SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIERS PREPARING FOR JUMP
24. (04:17) VARIOUS SHOTS – SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIERS JUMPING
25. (04:27) VARIOUS GOPRO SHOTS – JUMPER’S POINT OF VIEW
26. (04:49) VARIOUS SHOTS – US SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIERS BEING RECOGNISED BY LATVIAN SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIT SOLDIER
27. (05:07) SOUNDBITE (LATVIAN) CORPORAL RENARS, 53rd BATTALION, LATVIAN ZEMESSARDZE

“You have a different kind of technique, an understanding of it and examples. The technical performance differs from us, but in total it is fifty-fifty. Your technical performance is similar to ours, but your experience is different than ours, and that gives us new knowledge.”

1. (05:32 SOUNDBITE (LATVIAN) CORPORAL RENARS, 53rd BATTALION, LATVIAN ZEMESSARDZE

“The technical performance. We knew about the structure, but the performance from your side was different. But it is effective in our conditions. Henceforth, we should learn from that, so we can use it in the future. Now it feels a bit confusing, but when performing it seems to be effective. It proves to be effective.”

1. (05:56) SOUNDBITE (LATVIAN) CORPORAL RENARS, 53rd BATTALION, LATVIAN ZEMESSARDZE

“Today we learned how to perform link-up, how to get a cache storage and receive shipments, and perform an operation in an urban environment. How to destroy the enemy, surprise the enemy and destroy the firing positions.”

1. (06:18) SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) US SPECIAL OPERATIONS SOLDIER DEPLOYED TO LITHUANIA

“What we’re doing out here today is we’re providing the VSAT Special Tasks Unit with small-unit training. Throughout the week, they’ve been learning basically basic infantry skills that make them more interoperable with their ministry of defence partners, should the need arise.”

1. (06:39) SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) US SPECIAL OPERATIONS SOLDIER ASSIGNED TO LITHUANIA

“A strong NATO Alliance, particularly within Lithuania, helps deter malign aggression in this region. And if we can be a small part of that in training up one of the host nation partners, whether that’s with in the Ministry of Interior or the Ministry of Defence, creates a stronger collective of countries across NATO.”

1. (07:00) SOUNDBITE (LITHUANIAN) RIČARDAS NARIŪNAS, COMMANDER, LITHUANIAN BORDER GUARD SPECIAL TASKS UNIT

“Today we are training tactics for small units, working with our partners from the US Special Forces. Specifically, today we are working and training for ambush.”

1. (07:12) SOUNDBITE (LITHUANIAN) RIČARDAS NARIŪNAS, COMMANDER, LITHUANIAN BORDER GUARD SPECIAL TASKS UNIT

“Our unit was established 10 months ago. Our main mission is to perform special tasks working with criminal intelligence units, pre-trial investigation officers, border control officers. Our general task is to carry out special tasks at the border, apprehend people who are trying to smuggle illegal goods or trying to transport stolen cars. Another one of the main reasons is to raise the skills and competencies of our Special Forces to such a level that we could be competitive at Lithuanian and national level among the Special Forces.”

1. (07:54) SOUNDBITE (LITHUANIAN) RIČARDAS NARIŪNAS, COMMANDER, LITHUANIAN BORDER GUARD SPECIAL TASKS UNIT

“Our partnership started 3 months ago. We are very pleased to cooperate with Special Forces from the United States. First of all, they have a lot of experience in teaching, they use a variety of teaching methods that are very useful for us. It is very important to have a good relationship and build relationships with colleagues from Special Forces and take their experience, which they share with us today.”