Soldiers of the 3rd BCT, 101st Airborne Division (Rakkasans) conducting a foot patrol during recent Field Training Exercises in Livonia.
The annual wargame known as Korsac Defender will continue for the 3rd time this year, spearheaded by paratroopers from the 101st Airborne. Since Livonia’s entry into NATO, the country has hosted several training exercises with the largest being those located in the Korsac region.
About 20,000 soldiers will participate when the exercise kicks off fully next week with 15,000 already on standby and conducting small training scenarios. Camp Yankee, west of Rostok, will serve as the hub for the American soldiers during this exercise.
The original call for the Korsac Defender exercise was due to fear of Russian retaliation for the ex-soviet Livonia joining NATO, however with strong-worded public statements and troop movements in Russian-occupied Chernarus invasion seems more likely than ever. Livonian Defense Force (LDF) General Mikhail Vikhrov states the following:
“Operation Korsac Defender acts as an effective deterrent against any and all enemies of Livonia, this is due to the fact that it demonstrates NATO’s willingness and forwardness with helping allies, as well as improving cross-compatibility and skills of all parties involved. I would not want to poke the bear.”
Russian T-72 tanks being transported through Chernarus this morning.
The not so subtle call to Russia has not appeared to stop the Kremlin from shipping more equipment and men to the Chernarus-Livonia border by rail, as this morning several videos have surfaced of heavy equipment on railcars moving past Chernogorsk.
The US Army has also sent a small number of Rangers from the 2nd Ranger Battalion to act as a forward pathfinding, harassment, and spearhead force. They will reinforce the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne, who are acting as OPFOR against the LDF and other NATO forces. This is to simulate a Russian airborne invasion, starting with “Spetsnaz” (Rangers) to act as saboteurs and followed by a large air assault from the “VDV” (101st Airborne).
Rangers from Charlie Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion training in the MOUT course.
To prepare for the upcoming exercise Charlie Company, 2nd Rangers have been taking the opportunity to train CQB, ambushes, and raids behind enemy lines back home in Joint Base Lewis–McChord, Washington.