The U.S. deployed two Predator drones to Latvia for the first time over the weekend to reassure European NATO allies, the Pentagon announced Monday.
Two unarmed MQ-1 Predators, along with 70 airmen from the Texas Air National Guard, will be in Latvia temporarily until about Sept. 15, Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, told reporters.
The deployment will reassure NATO allies of America’s “commitment to regional security and safety,” Davis said. The U.S. service members will also train partners in Latvia on drone operations, he said.
Asked if the deployment was in response to specific actions from Russia, Davis said the Pentagon has seen nothing unusual from Russia over the past couple days.
Four F-22 Raptors landed in Germany late last week, marking another effort of the U.S. to project a strong presence in Europe and reassure allies in the region.
