US Predators arrive in Latvia 40309152.

The US Armed Forces have deployed two MQ-1 Predator UAVs along 70 airmen in Latvia during the week. The detachment will take part in a two-week training and is expected to be concluded by mid-September.

The UAVs will be controlled and operated by the Lielvarde Air Base, instead of a control centre in the United States. Their missions will be restricted within the Latvian airspace.

The deployment of the UAVs will allow the US and Latvian forces to enhance their interoperability and, along with that of the F-22 Raptors in Germany, reassure the allies being wary of the relations with neighbouring Russia.