This year the dates to know are September 3 to October 8 when the comprehensive national defense exercises organized by the National Armed Forces will be held throughout Latvia. Approximately 11,000 Latvian and allied soldiers and national guardsmen will take part in the exercise. The 'Namejs' training cycle has been taking place throughout Latvia since 2014. The name 'Namejs' is that of a Latvian chieftain of the 13th century.
Soldiers and National Guardsmen from all units of the National Armed Forces will participate, including soldiers of the national defense service, reserve soldiers, and soldiers of allied armed forces.
In order to improve and strengthen the ability to perform tasks in the event of a national threat, during the drills, cooperation is also planned with the Operational Management Center of Civil Defense, including the State Chancellery and sectoral ministries, their subordinate institutions, state security institutions, several municipalities and some businesses.
The training is organized in cooperation with the NATO Multinational Division North headquarters. Allied soldiers from the USA, Estonia and Lithuania, the NATO Multinational Battle Group as part of the Land Forces Mechanized Infantry Brigade, the headquarters of the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia, the NATO Force Integration Unit in Latvia, and the Canadian Armed Forces Command in Latvia (Task Force Latvia). In addition the exercise will be supported by the Joint Expeditionary Force, as well as representatives of various levels of NATO headquarters.
As part of 'Namejs 2024', in September, the National Armed Forces plan to conduct three-day mobilization exercises for a limited number of personnel, during which the operation of mobilization mechanisms will be tested for their further improvement.
At the eastern border it is planned to deploy anti-mobility materials, with priority for blocking roads, as well as strengthening the infrastructure of border control points and border guard departments of the State Border Guard with fortifications.
Members of the public are advised that soldiers and military equipment of Latvia and allied countries will move along the main and regional roads of Latvia. Military aircraft will fly in the skies, including at low altitudes, but there is no cause for alarm.
Up-to-date information about training in the various regions of Latvia will be available on the social network accounts of the National Armed Forces, as well as on the website of the National Armed Forces and on the websites of local governments. In addition a special information line will be open during the training: +371 28637064.
