National Armed Forces and NATO allies to take part in military exercise "Crystal Arrow 24"
Interoperability and cohesion between the armed forces of Latvia and NATO allies will be trained during the international military exercise "CRYSTAL ARROW 24" which will take place February 26th to March 12th, in Ādaži, Limbaži, Saulkrasti and Sigulda municipalities.
The aim of the exercise is to improve interoperability between NATO armed forces units, integrate combat support and combat support elements in support of manoeuvre units, to plan and execute offensive and defensive operations.
The active phase of the military training will take place from March 9th-12th, but prior to that there will be preparatory manoeuvres for the successful execution of training tasks, including overflights of allied helicopters from February 29th in Ādaži, Limbaži, Saulkrasti and Sigulda municipalities.
The international military exercise "CRYSTAL ARROW 24" is the certification exercise of the NATO´s enhanced Forward Presence Battle group in Latvia and the training of the headquarters and units of the Land Forces Mechanised Infantry Brigade for the improvement of command, planning and management of operations. About 2,000 soldiers from Albania, USA, Denmark, Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Canada, Montenegro, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Germany will take part in the exercise. Latvian soldiers and guardsmen from the Land Forces Mechanised Infantry Brigade, the 1st Riga Brigade of the National Guard, the 2nd Vidzeme National Guard and the 3rd Latgale National Guard will also take part in "CRYSTAL ARROW 24”.
"CRYSTAL ARROW 24” is part of "Steadfast Defender 2024”, NATO´s most ambitious military exercises since the Cold War. "Steadfast Defender 2024” is multi-domain exercise over several months enhancing civil-military cooperation and national and collective resilience. With 32 NATO Allies participating in the exercise, the "Steadfast Defender 2024” aims to refine defence plans as well as acting as a deterrent against potential aggression from near-peer adversaries.
Attention residents in Ādaži, Limbaži, Saulkrasti and Sigulda municipalities!
During the international military exercise "CRYSTAL ARROW 24" from February 26th to March 12th, allied helicopters will fly in the Latvian airspace and military equipment of both Latvian and allied armed forces will drive and be transported on Latvian roads.
Military aircraft flights will take place according to the height and speed specified in the regulatory acts, therefore the noise generated is temporary and will not cause damage to people or property. There is no need for residents to worry when they see the movement of soldiers and national guards outside the military training grounds and unit locations as that will be a big part of the exercise. Nor is there a reason to worry about deployment of equipment and other types of equipment taking up positions in various parts of Latvia.
During the exercise, only training ammunition and combat simulators that make noise but do not threaten people's health and life will be used outside the ranges. However, in case if you find unknown objects in the exercise areas, please note that it is forbidden to touch or move them. All areas used during the exercise will be cleaned after the exercise.
Information prepared by
Mechanized Infantry brigade
Communication branch
email: komunikacija@mil.lv
mobile: +371 26363721
