The only military diver training center in the Baltics operates in Liepaja. They speak only English there 0 27

It works in close cooperation with NATO partners and neighboring Baltic countries. Latvian specialists participate in international exercises, and foreign military personnel come to train in Liepaja.

In response to the question from "Latvijas Avīze" about whether Latvian specialists are prepared for demining operations in regions such as the Strait of Hormuz, the commander of the diving group, Lieutenant Commander Onīls Marcinkus, answers directly: "I think so. We train specifically for what we do every day: to find, identify, and neutralize mines."

Thousands of World War II mines, sunken ships, and barges with munitions, as well as other explosive objects, are still being found in the Baltic Sea. One of Latvia's specializations is the search and disposal of underwater munitions.

"Every year during exercises, we find and destroy historical mines. New mines are not appearing - we are still working with historical heritage," says Marcinkus.

"Not only personnel from the National Armed Forces come to us for training, but also representatives from other ministries, as well as military personnel from other NATO countries. In the Baltic States, we are the only training center that prepares military divers," confirms the commander of the Naval Forces Training Center, Captain 2nd Rank Magnus Licis.

Latvian instructors have also advised foreign countries on creating diver training systems.

"We are one of the youngest schools of this type in Europe, and that is why people come to us from different countries to see how we have organized a modern system."

Courses are conducted only in English, so knowledge of the language is one of the mandatory requirements for cadets.