Medical Education Technology Centre takes part in national defence exercise Namejs 2024

This year, the comprehensive national defence exercise Namejs 2024 took place from 3 September to 8 October. This military exercise, organised by the National Armed Forces, is an opportunity to develop and improve Latvia's defence capabilities by bringing together Latvian and allied forces to strengthen cooperation and combat readiness.

The aim of Namejs 2024 was to test and improve the ability to protect the country in the event of a threat by cooperating with various national and local authorities, including the State Border Guard, the Civil Protection Operational Management Centre, and other security services.

Around 11,000 soldiers, conscripts and allied forces from the US, Estonia, Lithuania and other countries took part in the exercise. Organised in cooperation with NATO's Multinational Division North Headquarters, the exercise involved large-scale tasks across the territory of Latvia. Given the increase in hybrid threats, part of the exercise focused on civil protection and national infrastructure protection scenarios, including the use of civilian infrastructure in military exercises.

Tough training, easy fighting

The exercise aimed to enhance national defence capabilities and readiness to respond to evolving security challenges, drawing on insights from the war in Ukraine and the modernisation of Latvia's defence system. In view of the previous successful participation in the planning and organisation of various military exercises, the RSU Medical Education Technology Centre (METC), in cooperation with the Medical Company of the 1st Riga Brigade of the National Guard, was responsible for the preparation of simulated casualties for the exercise.

Inga Kjakste, coordinator of the Namejs 2024 exercise from METC, points out:

‘This exercise is good training for emergency responders; it is an opportunity for them to practice their skills and consolidate their knowledge.

Of course, it is not only important to practise casualty care, but also to build interagency cooperation, understand where logistical problems arise and learn how to solve them, as well as to promote the accuracy and speed of information flow. All this prepares soldiers and civilians for crisis situations.’

METC’s support during the exercise

The METC's task in this exercise was to prepare 52 simulated casualties according to the clinical casualty profiles prepared by the 1st Riga Brigade Medical Company of the National Guard. The METC provided the visual appearance of the casualties according to their injuries using mock-ups and various material and technical aids, as well as the opportunity to practice clinical skills in military medicine, such as controlling bleeding using tourniquets, pressure bandages or swabs. The simulated casualties were mainly polytraumas typical of warfare, such as blast injuries, gunshot wounds, etc. The simulated incidents took place at several Namejs 2024 exercise locations.

Cooperation with international partners

The Namejs 2024 exercise reaffirmed Latvia's commitment and ability to cooperate with international partners and allies to ensure national defence and strengthen regional security. The involvement of the Latvian society, including the support of local authorities, businesses and non-governmental organisations, helped strengthen the comprehensive national defence system, which is an essential element of Latvia's security.