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SZCZECIN, Poland - On 11 June, service members from across NATO's enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) participated in the "Baltic Warrior" competition in Latvia. This time, multinational soldiers proved their endurance and excellent physical preparation during a sporting rather than military exercise.

"Baltic Warrior" is a periodic run and walk event intended to give eFP members the opportunity to test their physical and mental resilience in a spirit of friendly competition. It is also an excellent opportunity for integration between soldiers from different countries.

More than 250 teams from more than a dozen countries took part in the "Baltic Warrior". They represented Allies from the United Kingdom, Latvia, Slovakia, Italy, Spain, Poland, Albania, Germany, the Czech Republic, Canada, Slovenia, Belgium, the United States and France. The event consisted of: 22 km of walking with a backpack weighing 15 kg; 2 km of walking with a canoe weighing approximately 35 kg; and 11 km of rafting on the Gauja River.

Prizes were awarded to the top 3 male and female mixed teams, as well as the country with the best average time. The awards were ceremoniously presented by the Commander of eFP Battlegroup Latvia, LTC Enno Kerckhoff of the Canadian Army.

After an extremely fierce competition, the first two places on the podium were taken by Latvian teams, while the third place was taken by soldiers from the tank company of the Polish 15 Giżycko Mechanised Brigade.

Canadian soldiers during Baltic Warrior 21 / Photo by MCpl Stuart MacNeil

Spanish soldiers during Baltic Warrior 21 / Photo by SSGT Juan Delgado Garnacho

Multinational teams marching with their canoes during Baltic Warrior 21 / Photo by SWO Krzysztof Łukaszewicz

A Canadian soldier carrying her canoe during Baltic Warrior 21 / Photo by SSGT Juan Delgado Garnacho

Rafting on the Gauja River during Baltic Warrior 21 / Photo by SWO Krzysztof Łukaszewicz

Soldiers from the Polish contingent supporting their team / Photo by SSGT Juan Delgado Garnacho

Albanian soldiers approaching Baltic Warrior's finish line / Photo by eFP LTU

Belgian and german soldiers approaching Baltic Warrior's finish line / Photo by eFP LTU

U.S. soldiers approaching Baltic Warrior's finish line / Photo by eFP LTU