Canadian Howitzers Headed to Latvia

By: David Pugliese, Defence Watch

The Canadian Forces is sending 100 additional military personnel, equipment, and support vehicles to Latvia to support the military exercises of US Army Europe, NATO’s EFP battlegroup in Latvia, and other NATO allies. The deployment is for a limited time.

Gunners fire two M-777 155 mm guns during an exercise at CFB Wainwright, Alberta.  CPL SIMON DUCHESNE

The Canadian Army is sending an artillery battery made up of four M777 Howitzer guns and approximately 100 additional personnel to support training, the Canadian Forces announced Tuesday. When not required for training, the equipment will be stored in the Canadian compound at Camp Ādaži, Latvia, and the artillery personnel will return to Canada, according to the Canadian Forces. The artillery battery will provide indirect fire during major training events including Exercise SILVER ARROW, a Latvian-led NATO exercise in October 2017.

The artillery battery and support personnel are from the 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, garrisoned at Canadian Forces Base Shilo, Manitoba.