Visit of the Latvian Training and Doctrine Centre (LTV TRADOC)
The NATO EOD COE delegation visited the Latvian EOD E&T provider (Combat Support & Combat Service Support Training Centre - CSCSSTC) under the command LTC Maris UTINANS, LTV TRADOC Commander. The aim of the visit was to inform each other about the capabilities of own entities and to discuss cooperation opportunities in the field of EOD Education and Training (E&T). A one-day visit was carried out on 15 MAR 2023, at the CSCSSTC home base located in Adazi, LTV.
After LTV TRADOC Commander warm welcome, MAJ Sandris RIEKSTIŅŠ introduced to the COE delegation the LTV EOD E&T capabilities, capacity and implementation of the respective NATO EOD proficiency into the LTV Armed Forces (AF) environment. Due to the fact, that an International Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Course (IEDD) is currently delivered by CSCSSTC, the COE members got the opportunity to visit the EOD field training, where the IEDD course students practiced life shooting of Remote Operated Vehicle with attached de-armers. COL Robert CSASZAR, COE Director briefed about the mission, vision, objectives and deliverables that the COE is offering to EOD Community of Interest. Furthermore, LTC Alexander HUGYAR and MSGT Stanislav MACURA facilitated detailed information to LTV counterparts about NATO’s E&T policy, courses portfolio and areas where future benefits of common cooperation of institutions are foreseen.
Sum up the main visit take away; the COE delegation observed a systematic and well-tailored LTV AF military education under the command and control of the LTV TRADOC. We recognised that all of the TRADOC/CSCSSTC delivered EOD courses are matching the NATO’s EOD related standard in minimum EOD proficiency. To continue cooperation, LTV TRADOC Commander and the NATO EOD COE DIR agreed to process and finalize the institutions’ bilateral technical agreement, which will set up preconditions to share deliverables and exchange EOD Subject Matter Expert to support each other activities.
Author: LTC Alexander HUGYAR, SVK A
Photo: NATO EOD COE archive
