Austin pledges military training, support for Baltics

By LOLITA C. BALDOR
Associated Press

RIGA, Latvia (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the U.S. will conduct more military exercises with Baltic nations such as Latvia, and look to provide increased training.  He says the U.S. may bring in additional troops from America if needed to meet the requirements. He spoke at a press conference with  Artis Pabriks, Latvia’s defense minister. Pabriks tells reporters that his top priorities are to get more U.S. military enablers, and that his troops need “nitty gritty training” on a daily basis. He said Latvia also needs additional U.S. financial assistance to buy new military equipment, and to beef up its air defense and coastal defense systems.