On 27th April, in the municipality of Marijampolė press conference will take place, where the largest Lithuanian Armed Forces national exercises of this year ‘Lightning Strike 2017' will be presented. Conference participants: Chief of Joint Staff of Lithuanian Armed Forces, major general Vitalijus Vaikšnoras, director of the municipal administration of Marijampolė - Sigitas Valančius and Vilkaviškis region municipality administration director Vitas Gavėnas.
Exercises ‘Lightning Strike 2017' will take place from 28th April till 7th May, where Lithuanian Armed Forces specifically, Peacetime Operation Forces, Rapid Reaction Forces and their supporting units will have trainings in the south-west of Lithuania.
Lithuanian Armed Forces soldiers will be training with the Police Department, Public Security Service and the Anti-terrorist operations team ‘Aras' officers, the State Border Guard Service and the Fire and Rescue Department members. Moreover, representatives from municipalities, hospitals staff and the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union will be involved as well.
For the third time, the scenario of these exercises is drawn up in such a way that it would be possible to verify and assess how quickly and efficiently institutions of the Ministry of Interior could use Lithuanian military Peacetime Operations Forces and the Rapid Reaction Forces in order to neutralize armed subversive groups, at the same time protecting civilians and their property.
About ‘Lightning Strike 2017' scenario
Various threats from hybrid warfare to terrorist attacks will be modelled during the course of the exercises. According to the scenario of ‘Lightning Strike 2017' unknown armed subversive groups will pose unrest and riots in the cities, also trying to occupy local administrative objects. If units of the Ministry of Interior will not have enough capacities to suppress these unrests, Rapid Reaction Forces will be used, which should stabilize the situation. Moreover, various incidents will be simulated on the streets and other public areas in order to practice proper security maintenance of city residents.
More about the exercises: http://bit.ly/2oiahfG
Video report of ‘Thunder Strike 2016‘: https://youtu.be/JJuuz955tfo
Information for press
Press representatives who are willing to participate in the press conference on 27th April at municipality of Marijampolė (address: J. Basanavičiaus a. 1) must register until 26th April (8 pm) to public relations officer captain Tomas Pakalniškis (email: prt14pio@gmail.com, tel.: +370 657 61271).
Press representatives must have identity document and document proving representation of media tool.
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.
Live translation of the press conference (10 am, 27th April) will be available via Lithuanian Armed Forces Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/kariuomene/?fref=ts
Peacetime Operations Forces
During the peacetime, Lithuanian Armed Forces execute tasks in order to support civil authorities in the course of emergency situations. For this purpose, Peacetime Operation Forces are invoked, where almost 1000 troops are on duty this year. These forces are combined of Land, Naval, Air and Special Forces. The majority of them - 700 are from Land Force Lithuanian Grand Duke Butigeidis Dragoon Battalion. They are supported by troops from Juozas Vitkus Engineer and King Mindaugas hussar Battalions as well as National Defence Volunteer Forces. Peacetime Operation Forces were established in 2009, while on duty started in 2010.
Rapid Reaction Forces
Since 1st November, 2014 Lithuanian military Rapid Reaction Forces are ready to respond any type of threat for the national security. These forces are composed of two battalion size battle groups, formed of Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion and Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Battalion as well as Air and Special forces, Military Police, artillery, logistical and medical support units. Rapid Reaction Forces are prepared to operate within 2 hours after receiving the order.
Photos of ‘Thunder Strike 2016' in Klaipėda. Author: sergeant major Lina Ambroževičiūtė
