HARRISBURG, Pa., June 11, 2012

Central PA Soldiers and Airmen Travel to Estonia for Baltic Exercise

Approximately 75 soldiers and airmen of the Pennsylvania National Guard departed from Harrisburg International Airport today, bound for Estonia to participate in a multi-national exercise called Saber Strike.

Saber Strike is a cooperative security exercise led by the U.S. Army that takes place in the Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. This year's exercise, being held June 7-24, will involve 2,000 personnel from eight nations.

Soldiers from the 2nd Squadron of the 104th Cavalry loaded their Stryker vehicles aboard a Tennessee Air National Guard C-5 Galaxy aircraft yesterday. Guard members from the state headquarters based at Fort Indiantown Gap will also be participating.

Pennsylvania has been a state partner with Lithuania since 1993. The National Guard State Partnership Program encourages international cooperation, understanding, and the development of enduring relationships while building mutual capacity to tackle the world's toughest challenges. Today, 48 states, two territories and the District of Columbia are partnered with 62 countries around the world.

To learn more about the Pennsylvania National Guard and for photos of the departure, visit us online at www.pa.ng.mil or follow the exercise on Facebook at www.facebook.com/panationalguard. 

Media contact: Sgt. Matt Jones, 717-861-8352 (office), 717-943-4328 (cell)

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs