As part of a winter training course U.S. light infantry soldiers jumped into a near-freezing plunge hole in a lake in Latvia.
Under the guidance of their Latvian instructors, the practical part of the course was to test their survival instinct in cold weather situations.
“Winter doesn’t tolerate mistakes so your equipment, your actions must be planned and sound,” said course director, Latvian army captain Agris Robeznieks.
As part of the training the troops had to jump into icy cold water, swim a long distance and climb out without assistance.
Around 4,000 U.S. troops are being deployed for exercises in NATO states near Russia.
Hundreds of U.S. tanks, trucks and other military equipment arrived in eastern Europe last month as part of a NATO buildup that has drawn Russia’s ire.
(Reuters)
