(VOVworld)- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) began an international military drill called “Operation Summer Shield-XII” on Sunday, with the participation of more than 1,100 soldiers from Latvia, Lithuania, the US, the UK, Luxembourg and Canada. This exercise combining land, air, and sea forces will continue until March 31 with the objective of integrating and coordinating fire support for infantry units. US Black Hawk helicopters and other modern military equipment are involved in the exercise. “Operation Summer Shield-XII” has been held annually in Latvia since 2004. It was included in NATO’s training plan last year to open participation to other countries in NATO.