Ieva Velika is a hunter from Talsi and is in such an event for the first time.
"It's something that's deep down. My husband is a national guard and I would also like to join in the National Guard, but somehow in the family we have decided that one national guard is enough. Then for me, shooting, knowledge of how to operate, in case something happens, that then I too can somehow participate and be involved in protecting the country and my family," the hunter said.
And that is the purpose of this training – for national guards to learn techniques side by side with hunters, day and night/
Hunters have also stayed overnight and first learned combat practice at night – night shooting with thermal night vision devices. All this so that, in the event of a military threat, hunters can come to the aid of fighting the enemy.
"This is all in close touch with the overarching defense of the country. And who knows better than Latvian hunters, first of all, the terrain, forests, fields, how to shoot accurately, how to move quietly? And of course we have our tasks earmarked for hunters in case of crisis," said Commander of the 19th Battle Security Battalion of the 1st Riga Brigade, Major Uldis Dadžāns.
Hunters are willing to engage in national defense. They have an agreement on cooperation with the Ministry of Defense.
"Who can do that? It can be done by individuals who have firearms in their possession. Latvia has 22 thousand hunters who own 57 thousand firearms. And this measure is one of the ways in which we make sure that these people are not only capable but ready to enter the defensive position of the country. What we learn here is the skills of working together," said Latvian Hunters' Association representative Jānis Zandbergs.
"I believe we have really proven ourselves to be equal in terms of ability. Latvia is a small country and it doesn't matter what outfit we wear. Whether it is civilian clothing or uniform, we are all citizens and patriots of this country," Zandbergs said.
