The U.S. military were welcomed in Lithuania by President Dalia Grybauskaitė, Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas, U.S. Ambassador in Lithuania Deborah A. McCarthy, Chief of Defence Lieutenant General Arvydas Pocius, Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army in Europe Major General Richard C. Longo, and personnel of the Lithuanian Land Force.
“This is an extremely important day for Lithuania. In the face of a threat we behold our true friends. The U.S. military presence in Lithuania contributes to the security of all of us. It deters those to whom our values are foreign and those who attempt on the stability in Europe and peace in the region. Joint training with the U.S. will enhance our military preparedness to deliver defence of our Motherland and of the citizens of Lithuania. All that Lithuania needs today is encoded in the slogan of the Lithuanian Land Force – “Strong in unity, victorious in belief!,” the President said at the welcome ceremony.
“We have never had doubts about the commitment of the United States to ensuring security in Europe and the Baltic States. We extend a heartfelt gratitude to the United States for the firm reassurance from our allies. The strength of the Alliance comes from its solidarity,” Minister of National Defence J. Olekas said. Minister also underlined that Lithuanian and U.S. military had a long experience of working together. They have established friendships in the multinational operations in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan in the recent years. “I am convinced that this excellent cooperation will be continued through cooperative exercises on the soil of Lithuania,” Minister of National Defence said.
J.Olekas underscored that the people of Lithuania could be proud of having a professional armed forces and true, responsible and solidary allies.
U.S. Ambassador in Lithuania D. A. McCarthy greeted the U.S. military and highlighted the significance of their mission to reassure the allies of a strong commitment of the United States and NATO to collective defence and our common security. Ambassador also stressed that joint drills in the region and skills of the troops will help bolstering NATO interoperability and common security.
A company-sized unit (approximately 150members) of the Vicenza, Italy-based 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team was moved to Lithuania with own equipment and weaponry required for exercise purposes. The unit arrived in two C-17 transport aircrafts.
In the beginning the U.S. troops will be accommodated at the Lithuanian Grad Duke Vaidotas Mechanised Infantry Battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf in Rukla.
The U.S. military will join ground force combat training throughout Lithuania as of May.
U.S. troops will also take part in Exercise Black Arrow in May, U.S.-Baltic States Exercise Saber Strike, and other cooperative training events.
U.S. military presence is expected to be maintained in Lithuania till the end of the running year.
Lithuania will provide the U.S. military with all the elements of host nation support necessary, i.e. accommodation, meals, logistic provision, etc.
The United States has deployed land force troops as a NATO ally in response to the threats for the region posed by the Russian intervention in Ukraine. The United States is also deploying army companies to Poland, Latvia and Estonia.
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