September 16, multinational exercise ‘Maple Arch 2012" have been started by solemn opening ceremony in Pabradė Training Area. The opening ceremony was attended by the commander of the Mechanized Infantry Brigade "Iron Wolf" Colonel Valdemaras Rupšys, the exercise participants were blessed by the Chief Chaplain of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Lieutenant Colonel Rimas Venckus.
"Maple Arch 2012" will be held on September 16-21. A Canadian team of 30 instructors will be in the lead of the exercise and train their Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian counterparts to conduct different tasks like warfare using improvised explosive devices, force protection, convoy, terrain protection and search. The exercise involves approximately 200 soldiers.
Although the exercise was officially opened on September 16, the training was started earlier. Before official opening of the exercise instructors from Canada and the exercise participants from Ukraine and Poland were introduced the M113 armoured personnel carriers, as well as armament and communications equipment of Lithuanian soldiers.
The exercise „Maple Arch" is held within the framework of the Canada's Military Training Assistance Programme. It was initiated with the aim to improve interoperability among Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian military units, which have been assigned for the participation in NATO-led operations. The exercise is led by Canadian soldiers with recent experience in multinational operations. The exercise is conducted biannually in one of the participating nations. This year the exercise is organized by the Mechanized Infantry Brigade „Iron Wolf"and Land Force King Mindaugas Mechanized Infantry Battalion.
