On February 19 three-day Exercise Resolute Response 2016 of the Lithuanian Land Force wrapped after three days in the town of Molėtai and surrounding area. The exercise trained military personnel assigned to the Rapid Response Force and the Domestic Support Forces of the Lithuanian Armed Forces planning and completing operations in collaboration with state institutions.
According to the exercise scenario, participants of the exercise were training 24 hours a day alongside representatives of the district council of Molėtai, the Police Department, the Fire and Rescue Service, and the Public Security Service, to neutralise illegal armed groups in the active military operations area.
At a "hotwash" session Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Major General Almantas Leika praised the comprehensive simulation of the environment covering different types of threats. General underscored the commanders' ability to lead their units and cooperate with other institutions in the area of operation.
"A goal is the source of improvement, therefore each and every soldiers must not halt and keep moving forward meeting new challenges," Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force said wrapping up Exercise Resolute Response 2016.
The exercise involved the Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion and the Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Mechanised Infantry Battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf which are assigned to the National Response Force, and the Lithuanian Grand Duke Butigeidis Dragoon Battalion of the Motorised Infantry Brigade Žemaitija and soldiers of the National Defence Volunteer Force on standby for the Domestic Support Forces.
The participants completed tactical assignments on the basis of procedural requirements and provided a quick and effective response to developing situations in cooperation with the Emergency Response Commission of the district council.
Exercise Resolute Response 2016, one of the phases of preparation for this years' largest national Exercise Lightning Strike 2016 due to take place in March, trained soldiers of the National Response Force to respond to hybrid threats in urban areas in cooperation with officials of units subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior.
Exercise Resolute Response 2016 was also the first exercise of the training units' control parties in the district of Molėtai, involving roughly 100 soldiers operating different types of military equipment and representatives of civilian authorities and units of the Ministry of the Interior.
The Rapid Response Forces has to meet exceptionally high standards concerning response to hybrid threats, therefore the exercise assessed the control element of the Lithuanian Land Force in respect of operational planning and completion, and efficient coordination of actions and cooperation with representatives of civilian authorities and organisations in line with set standards and requirements.
Exercise Lightening Strike 2016 in March will test the ability of the Domestic Support Forces and the Rapid Response Force to operate side by side with the Public Security Service, police, state border guard services, and municipal and other institutions to provide a response to local armed incidents and breaching of national borders that do not constitute acts of terrorism in their scope.
About National Response Force and Domestic Support Forces
The National Rapid Response force is on standby since 1 November 2014. Currently it includes two battalion battle groups formed by the Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion and the Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Battalion. The battle groups are reinforced by elements of the Lithuanian Air Force, the Special Operations Forces, and logistic support. Upon receiving an order the force is ready to act within 2 hours.
The Domestic Support Forces formed in 2011 stands ready to respond to violations against the sovereignty of the Republic of Lithuania, and to reinforce state border guard, protect vital state or municipal objects or defend them in case of an act of terrorism of mass act of violence, and support state institutions during emergencies in case of necessity. The current composition of the Domestic Support Forces is made of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Butigeidis Dragoon Battalion, territorial units of the National Defence Volunteer Forces and assigned units from the Lithuanian Land Force since 2016.
POC Captain Vitalijus Zvonkus, PAO for the Lithuanian Land Force HQ, phone no: 00370 706 81 635, 00370 640 45 380
