US sends troops to Poland for exercises

Updated: 2014-04-24 11:01

(Agencies)

The first company-sized contingent of about 150 US paratroopers from the US Army's 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team based in Italy march attend a welcoming ceremony as they arrive to participate in training exercises with the Polish army in Swidwin, northern west Poland April 23, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

A contingent of US Army paratroopers arrived in Poland on Wednesday and within next few days additional army companies will arrive in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania where they will stay till the end of this year.

According to the Pentagon, the United States is to deploy 600 troops in Poland and the three Baltic states for military training in coming months.

Latvia's foreign ministry said Tuesday in a statement that the US decision to enhance NATO's military presence in Poland and the Baltic states demonstrates the US commitment to contribute to security in the Baltic states.