August 27-September 8, „Open Spirit 2010" international mine clearance exercise is being conducted in the exclusive economic zone and territorial waters of Lithuania in the Baltic Sea. It is the most extensive naval mine clearance exercise since 2008.
16 warships and three diving teams from ten countries are involved in the exercise organised by the Lithuanian Naval Force: Belgium, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Lithuania, Norway, France, Russia, Finland and Germany. Lithuania is represented by three ships - mine sweeper M52 „Sūduvis" and patrol ships P11 „Žemaitis" and P14 „Aukštaitis".
Objective of „Open Spirit 2010" is to reduce the threat caused to safe navigation by naval mines and other unexploded ammunition remaining on the Baltic seafloor from WWI and WWII. The event also boosts trust and cooperation among participating countries, and improves skills of participating ship crews, staff officers and leadership.
During the exercise phase ashore, August 27-29, commanders of participating ships and representatives of the exercise command met with authorities of Klaipėda Municipality, and participated in tribute ceremonies for fallen German, Russian and French soldiers at the military cemetery. Ship crews met for a sports match.
On August 28-29 at 14-17 hrs mine hunters and sweepers participating in the exercise were open for public visiting at the Cruiser and Warship Terminal of Klaipėda.
On September 7 guests and media day is planned during which progress of the mine clearance operation and results achieved will be represented.
The first international mine clearance operation of such scope in Territorial waters and exclusive economic zone was held in May 2008. 420 sq. m of seabed was searched during „MCOPLIT 08", tens of explosives were found and neutralized, two shipwrecks were detected and marked in naval charts.
Information for media
EVENTS. Media opportunities will be provided during the following events of the exercise „Open Spirit 2010":
Tuesday, September 7
Two media opportunities:
1. 8.00-15.00 departure of LNF mine hunter and sweeper M52 „Sūduvis" takes the sea. Program: cast off from the Cruiser and Warship pier, briefing on the progress of „Open Spirit 2010" mine countermeasures operation, demonstration operations of mine hunting, neutralisation of a naval mine, helicopter evacuation from operation onboard a ship, ships passing each other ship formation, transportation of media representatives in a speedboat to a guest ship, mooring at the Cruiser and Warship Terminal.
Or
2. 9.15-9.30 hrs presentation of „Open Spirit 2010" mine countermeasures operation at the Staff of the Lithuanian Naval Force (N. Uosto Str. 24, Klaipėda). Time to interview participants of the guests day and leadership of the exercise from 9.30 to 09.45 hrs.
REGISTRATION
Media representatives who wish to participate in the events on September 7 are invited to register before September 3 at the LNF Staff at 00370 46 391 207, cell phone 00370 698 18 196 (PR Officer Lt (N) Antanas Brencius) or e-mail antanas.brencius@milyou're your choice event, name, represented media, and contacts will be required for registration.
To enter the event on September 7 press pass and personal ID will be required, foreign reporters will be asked to present accreditation from the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign reporters not in possession of MoFA accreditation will be asked to present temporary pass to the LAF units issued by the MoND Public Relations Department. To receive the pass foreigner reporters are to send filled-in application and copies of ID card or press pass to MoND Public Relations Department before September 1 (e-mail vis@kam.lt or fax. no 00370 5 2785 245). For queries contact Public Information Division of the Public Relations Department, phone.: 00370 5 273 5517, 00370 5 273 5519.
TRANSPORT
Media opportunity will be provided on September 7: departure from Vilnius to the event in Klaipėda (departure to sea 8.00-15.00 hrs) by transport of the Ministry of National Defence. Willig to attend are to contact Public Relations of the Ministry of National Defence at 2735517, 2735519.
For more information regarding media opportunities of the training event may contact PR Officer Lt (N) Antanas Brencius, phone 00370 46 391 207, cell phone 00370 698 18 196.
MoND photography archive.