The exercise will train roughly 1.1 thousand soldiers from 5 NATO allies (Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, and the United States) and mortar operators from Ukraine. This is going to be the first time German, Latvian and Ukrainian troops will participate in Exercise Flaming Thunder Lithuania organises for the fourth year in a row.
Arrangement and real-life logistical support during the exercise will be provided by military personnel with units of the Logistics Support Command of the Lithuanian Land Force, while Lithuanian Military Police will ensure escort and safety on public roads. Air support will be provided by L-39 ZA light assault aircraft of the Lithuanian Air Force.
During the exercise, rotational forces of German and Portuguese artillery units already training in Lithuania will deliver fire using their own equipment, U.S. and Latvian equipment was deploy in late July, and the Ukrainians will join on August 1.
On August 1 indirect fire support unit Exercise Flaming Thunder 2016 will be declared open at the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area in Pabradė.
On August 2 live firing at sea surface targets (in the Baltic Sea) will be carried by: Lithuanian and German soldiers from self-propelled 155 mm PzH 2000 howitzers, Lithuanian artillery personnel and Portuguese soldiers with 105 mm M50 and L118 howitzers, and U.S. troops from 155 mm self-propelled Paladin (M109A6). AN/TPQ-36 artillery radar will be used to monitor targets and register hits, while ships of the Lithuanian Navy will ensure protection of the target area in the Baltic Sea.
As a part of the training audience will redeploy from Kairiai Training Area on August 3, two static displays and opportunities to talk to soldiers will be offered for local communities:
• In Raseiniai on 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. (near the Raseiniai Arts School) (Vytauto Didžiojo str. 15);
• In Elektrėnai on 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. near the Ice-rink House (Draugystės str. 20).
