"Although the anti-tank weaponry systems used in Lithuanian and U.S. units have slight differences, such exercises are highly rewarding. Soldiers from both of the participating countries train in maximally realistic battle conditions," Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Major General Almantas Leika said after observing the exercise.
Commander of Birutė Uhlan Battalion Major Darius Bernotas underscored that such exercises not only familiarise training audiences operating anti-tank systems with varied types of equipment but also teach them adapting to changing professional circumstances. "Lithuanians fired the first shot after just one day of training to use the U.S. anti-tank system," Major D.Bernotas said.
The second week of Uhlan Rage is a Situational Training Exercise encompassing an offensive, a defensive and advance to contact. UH-60 Black Hawks of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade will support troops during the offensive and airlift of combat equipment operations.
Soldiers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade of the U.S. Army have been deployed at the Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Battalion in Alytus since June. They are planned to be training in Alytus till mid-August and then move to King Mindaugas Hussar Battalion in Panevėžys.
Rotating U.S. contingents are deployed in the Baltic states and Poland since last spring as part of operation Atlantic Resolve in Eastern Europe.
The rotating contingents deployed as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve is one of the NATO measures launched in response to the changed security situation in the region and for strengthening security of the Baltic states and Poland after the Russian annexation of Crimea.
The hosted U.S. military personnel join all the major exercises in Lithuania and other Baltic states.
Lithuania provides full Host Nation Support, i.e. lodging, feeding, other logistic support, to U.S. soldiers.
