eFP Battle Group Latvia prepares for CREVAL

Held at the Camp Ādaži military training area in Kadaga, Latvia, Ex CRYSTAL ARROW (Ex CA) 2023 is the NATO Combat Readiness Evaluation (CREVAL) for this Battle Group’s rotation. During this capstone exercise, NATO’s eFP BG Latvia will confirm the efficiency of the multinational Battle Group in conducting combat manoeuvres with Allied units within the Latvian Mechanized Infantry Brigade.

Lessons learned from both defensive and offensive operations on Ex WOLVERINE SHIELD/STRIKE will be invaluable during Ex CA, explained eFP BG Latvia Commanding Officer Lieutenant‑Colonel Craig Higgins.

“For Exercise WOLVERINE SHIELD/STRIKE, we focused on elements where we could improve, rather than what we were already effective at,” explained LCol Higgins. “Each company is proficient in their own tactical manoeuvres at the company level, but the exercise was about bringing everyone together to perform and execute operations at the Battle Group level. This was an opportunity for us to refine our Command and Control as well as interoperability among these elements.

“It was important for us to use this time in the field well and train our ability to function together effectively. With how we were able to function as a cohesive Battle Group, I have the utmost confidence in the eFP BG to achieve our objectives heading to CRYSTAL ARROW.”

The purpose of Ex CA 2023 is to train and evaluate the integration of the eFP BG and the Danish Infantry Battalion into the Latvian Mechanized Infantry Brigade. During the exercise, members of the eFP BG will train in Command-and-Control procedures, train operation planning and execution, Battle Group offensive and defensive tactics, and the integration of Allied NATO nations.