The active phase of the military training will take place from March 9 to 12, but before that there will be preparatory maneuvers including overflights of allied helicopters – so don't be surprised to hear the thud of rotor blades if you live in the area.
Crystal Arrow is the certification exercise of the battle group of NATO's enhanced presence in Latvia and the training of the headquarters and units of Latvia's Land Forces Mechanized Infantry Brigade for the improvement of command, planning and management of operations.
Crystal Arrow is also part of the larger "Steadfast Defender 2024" cycle being staged by NATO aimed at deterring Russian aggression. About 2,000 soldiers from Albania, USA, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Canada, Montenegro, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Germany will take part in the exercise.
Members of the public are asked not to be concerned by the increased presence of allied troops and equipment both on the roads and in the skies from February 26 to March 12. During the training, only training ammunition and combat simulators that make noise but do not threaten people's health and life will be used outside military ranges.
