Latvia DV Day

Lt. Col. Kevin Boblet, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot with the 303d Fighter Squadron, 442d Fighter Wing out of Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., presents an A-10 lithograph to President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis during the Distinguished Visitor event at Lielvarde Air Field in Latvia Sept. 8. The 442d is supporting Operation Atlantic Resolve in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Denise Haeussler)

Latvia DV Day

Capt. Nathan Bevin, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot with the 303d Fighter Squadron, 442d Fighter Wing out of Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., lands at Lielvarde Air Field in Latvia Sept. 8 for the Distinguished Visitor Day event. The 442d is supporting Operation Atlantic Resolve in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Denise Haeussler)

Latvia DV Day

Lt. Col. Kevin Boblet, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot with the 303d Fighter Squadron, 442d Fighter Wing out of Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., talks with Latvian President Raimonds Vējonis about the functions and capabilities of the A-10 at Lielvarde Air Field Sept. 8. Boblet and his wingman Capt. Nathan Bevis, flew a two-ship sortie to the air field to take part in the Distinguished Visitor event that is part of Operation Atlantic Resolve. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Denise Haeussler)

Reservists participate in Latvian DV day

Published Sept. 12, 2015
By Capt. Denise Haeussler
442d Fighter Wing Public Affairs

LEILVARDE AIR FIELD, Latvia -- Lt. Col. Kevin Boblet and Capt. Nathan Bevis, A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots with the 303d Fighter Squadron, 442d Fighter Wing out of Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., landed at Lielvarde Air Field in Latvia Sept. 8 for their part in the Distinguished Visitor Day where they presented a 442d FW Lithograph to the President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis to show the wing's support for a NATO ally.

The 442d FW is supporting Operation Atlantic Resolve, where the U.S. is demonstrating its continued commitment to reassure allies and partners of America's dedication to ensuring peace and stability in the region.

For the duration of the exercise this year, the A-10s have been flying from Amari Air Base in Estonia to Adazi Range in Latvia while Lielvarde AF is still being constructed. Boblet says he hopes the jets can be housed here soon.

"This is an awesome airfield and training area right next door to Adazi range where we train with the Joint Terminal Attack Controllers in close air support," said Boblet. "We are able to work with the U.S. and Latvian guys on the ground, then land here to refuel. I hope we can come back to fly out of here next year because we and the Latvians can and do learn from each other."

The 442d FW has been supporting OAR for approximately three weeks working with Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian NATO allied partners strengthening the relationship to face potential future challenges. Reservists made history for the first time during the exercise when the A-10s landed here Aug. 26; the first U.S. fighter jet to ever land at Leilvarde Airfield.

"Today is about recognizing what Leilvarde Air Field is capable of," said Lt. Col. Tim Brock, Bilateral Affairs Officer for the U.S. Embassy in Riga, Latvia. "The airfield is starting to fulfill the mission it was built for which is to be a strategic location to operate out of and to facilitate training for NATO partners."