Four NATO Nations Link Up For Strong Shield 3

Troops from the U.K., Latvia and Denmark have been helping to make sure Lithuanian volunteer soldiers are combat-ready during Exercise Strong Shield 3.

The week-long exercise ran from October 1-6 in western Lithuania and involved soldiers from Lithuania's National Defence Volunteer Force (NDVF) conducting exercises alongside troops from their NATO allies using dummy ammunition and explosives, smoke grenades and tactical vehicles.

All told about 1,000 soldiers were involved in the exercises, which also featured regular Lithuanian Land Force units.

“Certification Exercise Strong Shield 3 is the final phase of a three-year readiness cycle and a chance to verify the readiness of the 3rd  Territorial Unit of the Žemaičiai Military District,  National Defence Volunteer Force (NDVF), for national defence and living up to the unit motto “Deserve Freedom by Defending It!” said its commander Lt Col Ramūnas Jankauskas.

Exercise Strong Shield 3 was designed to test the operational planning and execution skills of the NDVF in real terrain and time, as well as their ability to coordinate and operate alongside other units of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and NATO Allies.

The NDVF is made up of more than 5,000 reservists on non-continuous military service. They are summoned for combat readiness training roughly 30 days a year, usually  at weekends, allowing them to combine their service with full-time jobs or studies. 

• You can read more details about Strong Shield 3 on the Lithuanian Armed Forces website