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Minister of National Defence: our goal is to train receiving military support from NATO members

Minister of National Defence: our goal is to train receiving military support from NATO members


April 7, guest and media day was held at the host nation support (HNS) exercise „Baltic Host 2011". The training event is held simultaneously in Nemenčinė and Vilnius to test Baltic capabilities to receive the allied forces.

 

Guest and media day in Vilnius at the Joint Headquarters of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, venue of the Lithuanian National Operations Centre for the period of the exercise, was attended by the Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, Chairman of the Committee on National Security and Defence Arvydas Anušauskas, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Emanuelis Zingeris, leadership of national defence, Minister of Agriculture Kazys Starkevičius, Minister of the Interior Raimundas Palaitis, and other guests. Chiefs of Defence of Lithuania and Latvia, representative of Defence Staff of Estonia and foreign Military Attachés residing in Lithuania visited the main headquarters of the exercise in Nemenčinė in Gen Adolfas Ramanauskas Warfare Training Centre.

 

Guests could familiarise with the process of the fictitious operation, observe personnel responding to the variety of situations in line with the exercise scenario, forces deploying in the region were introduced to them.

 

Minister of National Defence R.Juknevičienė stressed the importance of civilian sector's involvement in the exercise with regard to the fact that HNS from the allies is received not only via military but also civilian agencies. „The goal of our military and civilians is to ensure appropriate reception of HNS from the allies in case of a crisis. This goal requires large capabilities. For instance, a division deployed by other NATO members would require railway infrastructure, catering services, deployment points, and similar", the Minister said.

 

Prime Minister A.Kubilius who observed a HNS exercise for the first time emphasised the importance of „Baltic Host 2011" for „the military, civilians and other personnel undergoing drills of cooperation in some standard situations in case NATO members sent military support. It is a challenge not only for the military, but for the entire civil state service. I can express my joy that we really saw and hear positive evaluations of the experience gained from the corresponding cooperation. It would be a real challenge for state and public institutions to transport cargo, supply food and provide other services required in such case."

 

Host nation support exercise „Baltic Host 2011" takes place from April 4 to 8 simultaneously on Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The leading headquarters was based at Gen Adolfas Ramanauskas Warfare Training Centre in Nemenčinė (Lithuania).

 

The exercise is also tailored to upgrade interoperability of military and civilian agencies of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and other NATO allies, strengthen and enhance cooperation in delivering HNS, set directions for development of national infrastructures and institutions to the end stronger capabilities of ensuring security and defence.

 

More than 140 personnel from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Poland, USA, NATO and the United States European Command (EUCOM) gathered at the main headquarters of the exercise in Nemenčinė. Another equal half of participants involved from national headquarters in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. At the Lithuania‘s national headquarters almost all the ministries of and the majority of municipalities were represented. They were accompanied by delegates of Klaipėda Seaport, JSC „Lietuvos geležinkeliai" (national railway), PE „Oro navigacija" (air traffic).

 

Host nation support means civil and military assistance rendered in peace, emergencies, crisis and conflict by a Host Nation to Allied Forces and organisations which are located on, operating in or in transit through the Host Nation's territory. Arrangements concluded between the appropriate authorities of Host Nations and the "Sending Nations" and/or NATO form the basis of such assistance.

 

Pictures by Alfredas Pliadis