Alytus drills test military and civilian response to threats

LRT reported that the Alertex exercises in Alytus tested soldiers and civilian institutions on their readiness to respond to potential security threats and operate in emergency conditions.

During the exercises, soldiers who received an alert had to reach an assembly point within a set time and carry out their assigned tasks. Particular attention was given to current security threats, especially the use of drones.

According to the Lithuanian Armed Forces, soldiers practised quickly identifying drones, assessing the risks they posed and carrying out neutralisation actions in simulated real-life situations.

Representatives of Alytus city and district municipalities also took part. The exercises assessed how institutions responded to reports, coordinated their actions and made decisions. Alytus District Municipality and the Alytus Regional Military Commandant Office Board practised allocating and mobilising the resources needed during an emergency.

For the first time, the Alytus garrison also conducted a requisition exercise to assess how quickly equipment, personnel and other capabilities needed for defence could be assembled.

Alytus Stasys Kudirka Hospital took part in the interaction exercises by practising the simultaneous admission of large numbers of seriously ill patients. The hospital team assessed its emergency preparedness, rapid admission capacity and ability to provide medical assistance under increased pressure.

The Alytus garrison consists of the Grand Duchess Birute Uhlan Battalion, the 1st Dainava District Unit of the National Defence Volunteer Force, the Alytus Regional Military Commandant Office Board, the Role 1 Medical Support Unit of the Dr Jonas Basanavicius Military Medical Service and the Lithuanian Military Police.