January 11-15, the main planning conference of „Sabre Strike 2010" military exercise is held at Gen. Adolfas Ramanauskas Warfare Training Centre (in Nemenčinė), where representatives of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and the US prepare documentation and draft plans for the exercise which is scheduled to take place in Latvia in October 2010.
Lithuania provides host nation support to the planning conference conducted under the lead of the United States European Command (EUCOM). Around 80 envoys represent four countries in the event.
„Sabre Strike 2010" will be designed to tune together interoperability procedures of the three Baltic States and the US with prospects of participation in ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) operation in Afghanistan and other multinational operations in the future. This exercise for the first time will pull together troops of the Baltic States and the US for a training event of such character.
„The „Sabre Strike 2010" type of exercise is crucial in enhancing interoperability between armed forces of the Baltic States and the United States of America. The training will provide opportunity for military units of participant countries to operate in the region of ISAF operation in Afghanistan in a more efficient and beneficial manner", emphasized Chief of the Joint Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Brig. Gen. Algis Vaičeliūnas.
Around 2 thousand troops are expected to attend military games „Sabre Strike 2010" in the territory of Latvia in October later this year. Training of the three Baltic States and the US will be conducted for two weeks in two phases: staff and division-level training on the first week, and a complex field exercise on the second.
For more information contact PR Officer of the Joint Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Kristina Chlynova, cell phone +370 686 35407.