R. Gilchrist was appointed and arrived in Lithuania in the beginning of 2020. Ambassadors term in office challenged him with the various trials of the recent period – the COVID-19 pandemic, illegal migration crisis, Russia’s war in Ukraine. The U.S. assistance to Lithuania in the area of capability development grew significantly during Ambassador Gilchrist’s term, persistent U.S. force rotation in Lithuania were established, Ambassador was an active supporter of infrastructure development at the Rūdninkai Training Area and other Lithuanian Armed Forces facilities.
“The term in office indeed was not short on challenges. Let measure you that we could feel your backing and U.S. shoulder through all of them, which is critical for the security in the region. I can affirm that our defence cooperation intensified and became even tighter in the past several years. Thank you for your assistance and input,” Minister A. Anušauskas said to Ambassador.
The United States is Lithuania’s strategic Ally. The Americans actively contribute to the assurance measures in the Baltic states with troops and equipment, as well as financial assistance for strengthening Lithuania’s defensive capabilities and developing military infrastructure, thus strengthening regional security and stability. The 7th heel-to-toe U.S. rotation is currently deployed at Pabradė: an uninterrupted United States force presence is critical for Lithuania’s security.
