Annual international military event of special operations forces, Exercise Flaming Sword 2014, is underway in the land territory and territorial waters of Lithuania. The exercise is arranged and conducted by the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces.
The exercise involves participants from the U.S. Special Operations Forces and other NATO allies and partner nations.
This year the exercise is carried according to modified scenario that trains NATO allies to put the concept of the NATO Response Force deployment into practice.
The key objective of the special operations forces is to be at the spearhead of NATO's main forces to respond to any threat in any part of the territory of the Alliance immediately.
"Actions of identifying a case of aggression and setting back hostile forces, and of coordination between special operations units, long-range fire systems and air support platforms will be harmonised at tactical level," the exercise directing staff reported.
Lithuanian participants will focus on counteractions against terrorists, sabotage enemy teams, invaders and covert agents, and on identification of hotbeds of subversive actions and prevention of any possible provocative activities.
Exercise Flaming Sword 2014 is an effort of NATO and partner nations to step up regional security and stability as well as readiness to respond efficiently to new types of military activities in light of the annexation of Crimea and the development in eastern Ukraine.
The exercise is also a demonstration of the Alliance's commitment to render immediate support just like Lithuania has been doing in Afghanistan and other NATO-led multinational operations.
The exercise will put to use air capabilities, electronic warfare and counterpropaganda measures extensively.
