Mishall RehmanThe Commander of the Latvian Land Force, Col. Ilmārs A. Lejiņš, visited Canada this week to enhance the bilateral military relationship between the two countries.
Hosted by the Canadian Army, Col. Lejiņš visited Ottawa and Petawawa where he met with LGen. Paul Wynnyk, Commander Canadian Army, and other Canadian Army senior leaders at the Canadian Army Headquarters in Ottawa.
“I’m extremely pleased to have hosted Colonel Lejiņš and to strengthen the already close and highly productive ties between our two countries. Opportunities to meet face-to-face enable both armies to highlight mutual interests and opportunities for future collaboration in order to further this relationship beyond the eFP BG partnership,” said Wynnyk.
While in Petawawa, Col. Lejiņš visited 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa, primarily focussing on the units of 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group. He also met with elements of the enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup (eFP BG) that will deploy to Latvia and will be led by the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment.
“I’m very pleased to visit Canada to meet with our Canadian colleagues and firm NATO Ally. This visit presented great opportunities for our two armies to talk and share ideas about what the future holds with respect to ongoing collaboration and military training,” said Col. Lejiņš, Commander of Latvian Land Force.
The CAF has deployed approximately 450 troops per rotation to the Canadian-led eFP BG Latvia, including headquarters staff, an infantry company with Light Armoured Vehicles, military police, as well as logistical and communications support. The Battlegroup is training with the Latvian Land Force Infantry Brigade, with which it will work hand-in-hand to deter aggression and, if necessary, help defend the people of Latvia.
