Video report by Sergeant Specialist Lukas Kalvaitis
Field Training Exercise (FTX) Interaction 2015 organised by the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf has gained momentum. On February 19-20 the main action moved to Jonava city and the nearby area where soldiers of rapid response battalion tactical groups are practising responding to threats of hybrid warfare in civilian surroundings.
The battalion tactical groups formed on the basis of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion and the Lithuanian Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Battalion with incorporated units from other divisions of the Lithuanian Armed Forces are carrying out military patrols and assault operations, providing protection of objects and territory, installing check-posts and conducting inspection procedures, responding to potential provocations and incidents, cooperate with fictional local authorities and civilian residents, and hone other tactical actions.
Chief of Defence of Lithuania Major General Jonas Vytautas Žukas observed FTX Interaction 2015 and took interest in its progress.
On February 19-21 armed Lithuanian soldiers will be moving around in military vehicles in Jonava and near the territory of Achema JSC, infantry personnel are patrolling the streets, and sound and smoke-producing training implements are being used. Run and sites of the exercise have been agreed on with city council of Jonava and the administration of Achema JSC. The exercise organisers are assisted by MP and civilian police officers of Jonava. When the assigned tasks are completed on February 21, the units will return to their permanent bases.
Lithuanian military are inviting local residents to be careful and to observe restrictions at exercise sites.
For the attention of civilians
Organisers of the Exercise Interaction 2015 call for the civilian residents' attention to the fact that armed military personnel will be practicing tactical actions on February 18 through 21 in Rukla.
For the Media
Media opportunities will be provided to observe the training on February 20-21 in Jonava. Completion of tactical tasks will take place at different locations and times:
February 20:
- Near Jonava Adult Education Centre (Basanavičiaus str. 7) at 2.00-3.00 p.m. (seizure of object);
- In the territory of Ukmergė Road Service and nearby area (Darbininkų str. 4) at 3.00-5.00 p.m. (seizure of object);
- Near the Jonava District Council HQ (Žeimių str. 13) at 5.00-7.00 p.m. (a fictional demonstration).
February 21:
- At the main gates of Achema JSC at 9.00-12.00 a.m. (inspection procedures at the check-post and response to fictional incidents);
POC - Assistant to the Commander of the MIB Iron Wolf Captain Ainaras Jonaitis. Mobile phone 00370 614 35 693; email: ainaras.jonaitis@mil.lt
More about the exercise at: http://goo.gl/iAHUJB
Photo credits: Sergeant First Class Eugenijus Žygaitis.
Video report: Sergeant Specialist Lukas Kalvaitis.
