From June 26 to July 2 joint military exercise „Baltic Host 2012” will be held simultaneously in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

„Baltic Host 2012” is Command Post Exercise which is aimed at training of the Baltic States defence sectors together with other state institutions in providing Host Nation Support (HNS) while recieving the Allied troops and humanitarian support.

Hosting Allied troops is a logistical challenge that involves not only the military but also a number of civilian authorities and private organizations. This is why HNS has to be trained regularly so that all the involved agencies have better coordination and overview of their role at hosting Allied troops.

This is already the fourth “Baltic Host” exercise in line. This time the focus of the exercise will be on the cooperation among Baltic States and involvement of civil institutions in providing HNS. “Baltic Host” has been conducted annually starting 2009.

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, US European Command (EUCOM), and Naval Striking and Support Force NATO will participate in this year’s exercise. For the first time also German – Netherlands Corps will participate thus enhancing co-operation and strengthening collective HNS capability also on regional level.

Latvia will be represented with 130 participants from different ministries, Latvian National Armed Forces, Police, Border Guard, Fire and Rescue Service, Emergency Medical Service, Civil Aviation Agency and other structures.

Host Nation Support is the civilian and military support that the host nation provides during the periods of peace, crisis or war for the allied forces and organisations that are located in the state’s territory, are carrying out operations there or are crossing it.

Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia
Military Public Affairs Department
Media Relations Section
Phone: 67335062
E-mail: prese@mod.gov.lv