October 17, official ceremony opened active phase of the exercise of the Domestic Support Forces' Land Component at the Pabradės Training Area (Švenčionių Distr.). During the exercise combat readiness of the element to pursue peacetime tasks, offensive and defensive operations in the territory of Lithuania will be assessed.
The exercise scenario will simulate a range of tasks corresponding to those in real operation theaters, rendering assistance for governmental institutions in tackling emergencies, planning and conduct other wide-spectrum operations.
Commander Lithuanian Land Force Maj Gen Jonas Vytautas Žukas accentuated the importance and objectives of the exercise to provide an effective training to counter possible challenges and eliminate threats in Lithuania.
"Domestic Support Forces integrating different elements of the Armed Forces are undoubtedly vital with an aim of relevant and timely response to threats arising for our state. We must be ready to face challenges on a permanent basis and employ our capabilities in an efficient way," said Maj Gen J. V. Žukas during the ceremony.
"The exercise is one of the most important events in our cycle of drills because it's you who are standing in font of me that form the core of peacetime operations forces. You are the ones who must be well-prepared to respond to violations against the sovereignty of Lithuania and render assistance to state institutions in emergencies, as well as to conduct other wide-spectrum operations. It is a noble and at the same time responsible task," said Commander of the Motorised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf Col Valdemaras Rupšys.
The main focus of the exercise will be placed on training and evaluating staff of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Kęstutis Motorised Infantry Battalion and an element formed of its personnel. From the beginning of next year these two element swill be commissioned to the Domestic Support Forces.
The training event involves over a thousand of participants from the Lithuanian Land, Air and Special Operations Forces, Logistics Command Military Police and Military Medical Service.
Strong Shield 2011 is a three-phased exercise: the first phase covers training of units (October 10 - 16), readiness of troops will take place from 19 to 20 of October, and the third phase will train live firing skills (October 21-22).
Strong Shield 2011 is organised by the command staff of MIB Iron Wolf, and the evaluation part is the responsibility of an evaluating team comprised of the Lithuanian Land Force's Command Staff officers.
Training of such character is held by the Lithuanian Armed Forces for a second time. The first exercise took place in June 2010 at the Gaižiūnai and Pabradės Training Areas.
Lithuanian Domestic Support Forces were formed in 2009. Troops of the Lithuanian Grand Duchess Birutė Motorised Infantry Battalion and its subordinate units have been on duty in the Domestic Support Forces since beginning of 2010. Lithuanian Grand Duke Kęstutis Motorised Infantry Battalion, four companies of the National Defence Volunteer Force, supporting units of Juozas Vitkus Engineer Battalion, Dr Jonas Basanavicius Military Medical Service and Duke Vaidotas Forward Support Logistic Battalion will take over the duty from January 2012. This composition will be on standby till 2014.
Domestic Support Forces are to enforce border defence in case of necessity, conduct protection and defence of vital state and municipal objects against terrorist or massive attacks, and assist state institutions in case of emergencies. For the first time the Forces were invoked in March 2010 to help inhabitants of the coastal area to get over the spring flood.
Note for the media: on October 20, Thursday, at 11.00 to 12.30 hrs Media and Visitors Day will be held at the Pabradės Training Area (Švenčionių Distr.) during which the exercise will be represented and fulfillment of an operations force task will be demonstrated. Leadership of the Ministry of National Defence and the Lithuanian Armed Forces, commanders of units and media representatives are invited to the event. Media representatives will be offered a shuttle bus race to the exercise area.
Media representatives willing to take part in the event should register before 17.00 hrs of October 19 at 00370 698 06 506 or e-mail gediminas.latvys@mil.lt Registration will require: full name, representative media, position, contacts (phone no., e-mail address), and whether shuttle bus will be used. Tentative time of departure from MOD (Totorių g. 25/3, Vilnius) on October 20 at 9.30hrs.
More detail about the exercise: Spokesperson for MIB Iron Wolf Capt Ainaras Jonaitis. Cell phone 00370 61435693.
Pictures by A. Pliadis and Sgt 1st Class E. Ponomariovas
