Strategic partner - USA

The United States of America is Latvia's strategic partner and ally. Till the declaration of independence of Latvia in 1991, the USA consistently realized the implementation the policy of non-occupation of Latvia,  provided an invaluable contribution to the restoration of Latvia's independence, and facilitated Latvia's integration into NATO and the European Union. Security policy is the basis for bilateral cooperation between Latvia and the United States. Latvian and US state officials maintain regular political dialogue on current developments in the region and international politics.

The US was the first country to launch the Atlantic resolve training operation after Russia's annexation of Crimea in spring 2014 and the aggression in eastern Ukraine, sending a company-level unit to Latvia. The operation aims to demonstrate the continued US contribution to the collective security of NATO members by promoting peace and stability in the Baltic states and Poland. The operation has also been deployed in Romania and Bulgaria. Within the framework of operation Atlantic resolve, each year a helicopter unit of the US Armed Forces arrives in Latvia, contributing to the development of capabilities and skills of the Latvian national Armed Forces. Latvia is also regularly visited by units of the US Armed Forces, both by conducting individual exercises and by engaging in military exercises taking place in Latvia, for example, during the training “Winter Shield” held in Latvia in November 2020, the unit of the US combat Aviation Brigade participated in combat helicopters.

The US was the first country to launch the Atlantic resolve training operation after Russia's annexation of Crimea in spring 2014 and the aggression in eastern Ukraine, sending a Rota-level unit to Latvia. The operation aims to demonstrate the continued US contribution to the collective security of NATO members by promoting peace and stability in the Baltic states and Poland. The operation has also been deployed in Romania and Bulgaria. Within the framework of operation Atlantic resolve, each year a helicopter unit of the US Armed Forces arrives in Latvia rotatively, thus contributing to the development of capabilities and skills of the Latvian national Armed Forces. Latvia is also regularly visited by units of the US Armed Forces, both by conducting individual exercises and by engaging in military exercises taking place in Latvia, for example, during the training “Winter Shield” held in Latvia in November 2020, the unit of the US combat Aviation Brigade participated in combat helicopters.

The US military support programmes aimed at accelerating the development of NAF capabilities and professional skills are continuing. At the end of year 2022, the U.S. Congress approved $225 million in 2023 funding as part of the Baltic Security Initiative. The initiative aims to provide support for the development of the military capabilities of the national Armed Forces to improve combat, combat support and security capacity, and to improve personnel expertise. The funding available under the Baltic Security Initiative is one of several sources of US funding provided to Latvia.

In April 27, 2023 - 30 years will have passed since the conclusion of the U.S. National Partnership Program between Latvia and the Michigan National Guard. Within the framework of this programme, active co-operation is taking place, promoting the development of the NAF, in particular the National Guard and the Latvian Air Force. Every year soldiers of the Latvian national Armed Forces participate in Northern Strike military training in Michigan.