Following the final operation of the exercise participants grouped into a formation for the closing ceremony, outstanding performance of exercise participants was recognised and exercise banner lowered.
“You had to meet high requirements, and there was not much time given to achieve your objectives, but I can proudly state that you have succeeded. I would like to thank every participant of the exercise in person for the hard work. Despite differences in experience, level of knowledge, and gear, and adverse weather, you completed your tasks with huge motivation,” Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Brigadier General Valdemaras Rupšys said and wished exercise participants a safe journey home.
Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lt Gen J. V. Žukas said the exercise had been successful and provided opportunities for Lithuanian soldiers to train alongside NATO colleagues.
A battalion for the first time formed by reserve soldiers for an exercise of such complexity was training in Iron Sword 2016.
Iron Sword 2016 also featured firing events with MARS II multiple launch fire system for the first time brought by the German Armed Forces.
Due to the fact that exercise participants were deployed with tactical vehicles and weaponry, their departure will take place on December 2-5. The equipment and military personnel will deploy back to their permanent stations by railway, public roads, via Klaipėda Seaport and Vilnius and Kaunas airports. Columns of tactical vehicles may be seen on the roads: Pabradė-Vievis–Klaipėda, Pabradė–Vievis–Kaunas–Kalvarija, Pabradė–Maišiagala–Saločiai, and Pabradė–Vievis–Rukla. The columns will be escorted by military police, exercise command thanks in advance road users for the tolerance.
Exercise Iron Sword 2016 trained soldiers from 11 NATO allies: Estonia, US, UK, Canada, Latvia, Poland, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovenia, Germany, and Lithuania. Roughly 4 thousand NATO soldiers are deployed concurrently in two training areas of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
Held in Lithuania for the third time, Exercise Iron Sword is conducted as part of the MTEP, NATO Military Training and Exercise Program.
