Brig. Gen. Blake C. Ortner, 29th Infantry Division

Brig. Gen. Blake C. Ortner, 29th Infantry Division commanding general and exercise director, meets Latvian Defense Minister Raimonds Bergmanis, Brig. Gen. John D. Slocum, commander, 127th Wing, Michigan Air National Guard, and Lt. Gen. Raimonds Graube, Latvian Chief of Defense, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for initial delivery of the Sentinel Ground-Based Air Defense System to Latvia, June 17, 2016, in Lielvarde, Latvia. Latvia has ordered $22 million in equipment to strengthen defense capabilities and improve interoperability with NATO. Final delivery is estimated to be completed in October 2016. “We are Allies committed to the principles of freedom and self-determination,” said Slocum. “Our Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen stand shoulder to shoulder with our Latvian friends.” Soldiers of the 29th Infantry Division are currently participating in Saber Strike 16 in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Frank O’Brien, 29th Infantry Division)