Largest military exercise “Namejs 2018” to take place in Latvia

On August 20 until September 2, the Latvian Armed Forces military exercise “Namejs 2018” will take place throughout Latvia.

With this exercise, the National Armed Forces concludes a four-year joint military training cycle and this will be the largest national military exercise so far.

The aim of the exercise is to test and boost the readiness of National Armed Forces to fully engage in national defence either on its own or as part of the collective defence arrangements.

10 000 personnel, including troops of the Latvian Armed Forces and Allied forces, National Guard, reserve force and representatives from different units of Ministry of Interior (including police an Border Guard), will take part in the exercise. The military exercise “Namejs 2018” will be supported by private businesses, who will help during the mobility activities, whereas private land owners will let the Armed Forces to use their land for training purposes under special lease agreements.

To strengthen the national defence capabilities, exercise “Namejs 2018” will go beyond military training areas and step into areas like towns, development centres or vicinity of vital infrastructure. All of these locations are approved in advance.

The exercise will take place throughout Latvia in Aknīste, Alūksne, Ape, Ādaži, Baldone, Daugavpils, Garkalne, Grobiņas, Gulbene, Iecava, Ilūkste, Jelgava, Jēkabpils, Līvāni, Krustpils, Kuldīga, Ķegums, Ķekava, Nereta, Nīca, Mārupe, Olaine, Ozolnieki, Priekule, Rēzekne, Sala, Salaspils, Saldus, Skrunda, Smiltene, Stopiņi, Vaiņode, Vārkava, Vecumnieki, Viesīte, Viļaka regions and cities of Rīga, Liepāja, Jēkabpils, Valmiera, Daugavpils and Ventspils.