March 30-31, two-day start-up planning conference of the naval mine clearance and ordnance disposal operation „Open Spirit 2010" will take place at the Lithuanian Naval Force Headquarters in Klaipėda. In the event representatives of Belgium, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Germany will discuss primary questions of planning the multinational operation.
The multinational mine clearance operation „Open Spirit 2010" will take place on August 27- September 8 in the territorial waters and exclusive economic zone of Lithuania of the Baltic Sea. The operation will be the largest training event for the Lithuanian Naval Force this year.
Mission of the operation is to decrease risk posed by naval mines and other explosive ordnance remaining from WWI, WWII and post-war in the Baltic Sea, therewith enhancing skills of shipcrews, staff officers and leadership, and mutual understanding and cooperation of participant states. Warships and diving teams from ten states are planned to take part in „Open Spirit 2010".
Last time multinational mine clearance operation of such scope was held in Lithuania's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone in May of 2008. Exploration of around 420 sq. km of seafloor during „MCOPLIT 08" held at the time resulted in detection and neutralisation of ten explosives, and two shipwrecks were found and charted.
More information at: LNF PR Officer Lt.(N) A. Brencius, phone 00370 46 391 207, cell phone 00370 698 18 196.
