Air Force One from Canada James Shrubb said: “I was here in 2018. I was doing other duties then. A lot has changed here at Adasi Military Base in the last five years. It’s great to come back and see the changes. It’s become a lot bigger, there are more people here. It’s a bigger team and I’m very happy to be back.”
The Canadians have also arrived in Adaži with their military equipment. The Canadian contingent consists of men who are responsible for ensuring that military vehicles are in good working order and who, if necessary, rush to help if something breaks down or gets stuck, for example, during military exercises.
Canadian soldier Paul Boutin said: “I’m here to fix the heavy equipment. My main duty is to be one of the relief team members. A big army tow truck. If something breaks, we pull back to fix it and can go back fight.”
Paul Boutins is in Latvia for the first time, and he likes it here. “We’ve been here since December. I like it here. It’s a sunny day, it’s good,” he admitted.
His colleague David Knight, who is also in charge of military equipment, agreed with his colleague. “It’s really nice here. I’m surprised how nice this country is. I’d like to come back here if I have the chance,” he said.
Paul is most happy about the nature here in Latvia. “I enjoy running. There are trails outside the base and I like to run on them. I like the nature here,” he stated.
Canadians have no problem getting used to Latvia’s climate.
“Honestly, the weather isn’t all that different from back home. It was cold in January, but that’s how it is at home for us Canadians. We adapted as best we could. It’s hard for a soldier in the winter, no matter where you are. But it’s something we’re used to,” James Shrubb said. He likes the people living here the most in Latvia.
“I have had the opportunity to meet and cooperate with so many friendly people – no matter if it is in Ādaži, Riga or somewhere else. People in Latvia are kind and helpful,” he admitted.
In the autumn, the number of Canadians in the Ādaži military base will increase significantly, forming a separate brigade.
“We’re going to go from 600 people that are here now to about 2,000 people that will be here at any given time,” James Shrubb said.
Along with the increase in the number of soldiers, the number of Canadian military equipment units will also increase in Ādaži, significantly strengthening Latvia’s defense capabilities.
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