6th May, Lithuanian Armed Forces finalizing national exercises ‘Lightning Strike 2017‘ will organize exhibitions of armament, military hardware in the central squares of cities and serve military treats, in return to Marijampolė and Vilkaviškis city residents for the warm reception. Events will be held in the central squares of the cities from 15:00 to 17:00 h.
At the same day, visitors and media day will take place in Marijampolė, which will be attended by Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis, chief of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas Žukas, chief of the Joint Staff Major General Vitalijus Vaikšnoras, representatives from the Ministry of Interior and municipalities of Marijampolė and Vilkaviškis.
Today, 5th May, during the exercises ‘Lightning Strike 2017' partial mobilization of trained reserve soldiers is held - reserve soldiers are called-up to arrive at regional military conscription and recruitment section to clarify their personal data.
The national service administrating personnel is performing tasks in the case of mobilization. Due to objectives of the exercises 12 conscription stations are established in 12 cities of Lithuania: Biržai, Pakruojis, Telšiai, Plungė, Tauragė, Jurbarkas, Kėdainiai, Molėtai, Ignalina, Šalčininkai, Varėna, Trakai. Reserve troops who performed military service in 2000-2012 and retired, are invited to the exercise.
In the upcoming summer and autumn reserve soldiers will have a possibility to participate in 3 weeks iterative trainings of Lithuanian Armed Forces prepared reserve.
One of the major Lithuanian Armed Forces national exercises this year ‘Lightning Strike 2017' are taking place from 28th April until 7th May. There are trainings of Peacetime Operation Forces and Rapid Reaction Forces with their supporting units in the case of hybrid threats. Exercises also aims that national forces would be ready for unconventional challenges and act independently for some time, until allied support would reach the country.
Information for media:
Lithuanian media representatives who are willing to participate in ‘Lightning Strike 2017' visitors and media day, 6th May, and interview participants of the exercises are invited to register to public relations officer Captain Tomas Pakalniškis (email: prt14pio@gmail.com, tel.: +370 657 61271) until 5th May, 19:00 h. When registering, please indicate your first name/last name and represented media sort.
Media representatives must have identity document and document (card) proving representation of media sort. Freelance journalists, and individuals preparing public information without contract with the media, as well as foreign journalists representing media must have accreditation issued by the Ministry of National Defence. More info: http://bit.ly/2qyoNAv
6th May programme for media
Until 11:45 Arrival of media representatives at Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytenis General Support Battalion (Vytauto g. 72, Marijampolė);
11:30-11:45 Exercise presentation by the head of ‘Lightning Strike 2017' the chief of Joint Staff Major General Vitalijus Vaikšnoras;
11:45-12:15 Arrival in the area of the exercises, Meškučiai village (Marijampolė);
12:55-13:55 Exercise episode of operation observation;
12:55-13:15 Interview with exercise leaders and command of national defence system;
13:30 Departure.
Photos and video report of the operation conducted on 4th May during exercises ‘Lightning Strike 2017‘ - Lithuanian army Rapid Reaction Forces successfully neutralized hostile forces in occupied objects and consolidated their positions in the buildings. 5th May, according to the scenario objects will be again attacked by hostile forces.
Photos by Master Sergeant Lina Ambroževičiūtė
Video report by Private First Class Eugenijus Naikelis.
1. https://youtu.be/568pH1xgRu0
2. https://youtu.be/erCYQZ1bYQE
