Mishall RehmanAbove images: Reconnaissance Squadron Standup Parade: Another significant milestone in the Canadian Armed Forces ongoing commitment to excellence and defence readiness. Image courtesy of Twitter.
A series of standup parades this summer in Latvia ushered in a new chapter in the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia (MNB-LVA).
Each standup parade signalled the joining of a new unit into this multinational fold. The countries collectively bring together their experience to carry out their mandate of deterring and defending NATO’s eastern flank.
A summer of standup parades
The standup parades that took place this summer welcomed:
- Multinational Logistics Unit,
- Multinational Artillery Battalion,
- Multinational Medical Unit,
- Headquarters and Signals Squadron, and
- the Reconnaissance Squadron.
The parades occurred on July 17, 22, 26, and 30, respectively.
The Reconnaissance Squadron (Recce Squadron) standup parade took place on Aug. 14 to enter the Brigade for its first initial rotation.
“The Reconnaissance Squadron is an important capability within the Brigade, and as this is the initial rotation for the unit, they are playing a major part in defining the scope of this capability as a tool within the Brigade’s toolbox. In this case, the Recce Squadron is based on an armoured cavalry squadron makeup,” stated Capt. Wyatt Shorter, Public Affairs Officer.
The Recce Squadron, which consists of members from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), has hit the ground running during its time in Latvia.
“The intent of Recce Squadron leadership is to build a manoeuvre reconnaissance element based around an armoured squadron which will provide NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia with a mobile and lethal finding and shaping force, enhancing the Brigade’s capacity to defend Latvia and deter aggression against the country and the rest of NATO’s Eastern flank,” added Shorter.
Part of a Larger Umbrella
The Multinational Brigade Latvia falls under the NATO Multinational Battle Group Latvia, which is based in Camp Adazi, Latvia. The Battle Group is one of eight multinational battle groups in Eastern and Central Europe.
There are currently thirteen countries that are part of this particular battle group. These countries include:
- Albania,
- Canada,
- Czech Republic,
- Denmark,
- Iceland,
- Italy,
- Latvia,
- Montenegro,
- North Macedonia,
- Poland,
- Slovakia,
- Slovenia, and
- Spain.
Canada’s changing role
Canada plays a unique role in this Battle Group as the Framework Nation and lead. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members who deploy to Latvia fall under the umbrella of Operation REASSURANCE.
Canada’s role in this Eastern European country is continually changing. According to the Department of National Defence, in the coming years, the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Latvia will transition from the Latvian Mechanized Infantry Brigade to a Canadian-led brigade.
The Canadian-led brigade is scheduled to be fully operational by 2026, with 2,200 CAF members expected to be deployed to Latvia to support NATO.
First Major Training Exercise
From November 1 to 14, 2024, the MNB-LVA conducted Exercise Resolute Warrior 2024. The EX Resolute Warrior was the first major exercise as a complete brigade. It was conducted across Central and Northern Latvia and was the first Canadian-led brigade field exercise held in Europe in over 30 years.
The first CAF deployment on Operation REASSURANCE occurred in 2014 as a response to instability in Eastern Europe caused by Russia’s illegal and unprecedented annexation of Crimea.
The deployment included a CF-188 Hornet fighter aircraft Task Force, a Land Task Force based in Poland, and a Maritime Task Force consisting of one Royal Canadian Navy frigate in the Mediterranean and Black Seas.
