In the evening of November 17 the main stage of the international Exercise Iron Wolf 2019-II of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf, Lithuanian Armed forces ,wrapped. After two weeks of training defensive and offensive actions at the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area (Švenčionys region) and surrounding territories, the action has concluded and soldiers will return to their permanent bases.
The training was conducted according to "force on force" principle. The Blue Force played by the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Rukla , and the Red Force played by the Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Battalion and Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion with assigned units of other NATO allies were practising offensive an defensive actions.
The international Exercise Iron Wolf 2019-II evaluated the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group based in Rukla and Birutė and Algirdas Battalions - an ad hoc observers team analysed actions of military units and staffs and assessed their ability to carry out combat operations in constant coordination with the superior MIB Iron Wolf HQ.
According to the evaluation team, exercise objectives have been achieved successfully and the exercise has proved that the MIB Iron Wolf and the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group are combat-ready. Throughout the exercise command posts of units and assembly areas were in sustained operation in different territories of Švenčionys region. Role-2 field hospital was deployed by MD Jonas Basanavičius Military Medical Service of the Lithuanian Armed Forces for Lithuanian military medics to train administering role 2 medical care to simulated casualties and making them able to fight again as quickly as possible.
Media representatives were assigned to one of the military units in this exercise for the first time: they were operating together and covering military action with the infantry in military squads during a 24 hours operation.
At the exercise, the General Romualdas Giedraitis Artillery Battalion was providing artillery support to other exercise participants using the 155 mm PzH 2000 self-propelled artillery systems that the Lithuanian Armed Forces has procured recently from Germany. The unit will stay at the training area until the end of the week to rehearse artillery support with real live fire shooting.
POC: Maj Gintautas Ciunis, +370 65754854, gintautas.ciunis@mil.lt
Photo credits: Lithuanian Armed Forces
