Joint Military Training “Baltic Host 2011” to Take Place in the Baltic States

From 4 to 8 April, 2011 the Baltic States military exercise “Baltic Host 2011” will take place simultaneously in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. “Baltic Host 2011” is a computer assisted exercise aiming to train Baltic States defence sectors together with other state institutions involved in Host Nation Support (HNS) for the reception of Allied troops and humanitarian support.

Such military exercise was organised for the first time in 2009 in Tartu, Estonia and it was agreed that it should be established as a permanent training cycle conducted annually in the Baltic States. Hosting allied troops is a huge logistical challenge that involves not only military but also civilian authorities and private organizations, therefore HNS has to be trained regularly so that all the involved agencies have a better understanding of their role.

This year, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, US European Command (EUCOM), and Naval Striking and Support Force NATO will participate in the exercise, as well as observers from NATO and allied nations. Compared to previous years, “Baltic Host 2011” will increase the number of civil organizations participating in the exercise. Latvia will be represented with 130 participants. Host Nation Support is the civilian and military support that the host nation provides during periods of peace, crisis or war for the allied forces and organisations that are located on the state’s territory, are carrying out operations in it or are crossing it.