NATO units set for Lithuania and five other eastern member states

[Hindustani78]

RIGA, Latvia (July 13, 2015) Cmdr. Darren Dugan, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), delivers remarks during a luncheon reception for distinguished visitors on the flight deck. Jason Dunham is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Weston Jones/Released)

RIGA, Latvia (July 13, 2015) Cmdr. Darren Dugan, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), meets with Juris Radzevics, municipal executive director for Riga, Latvia, at Riga City Hall. Jason Dunham is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Weston Jones/Released)

KLAIPEDA, Lithuania (July 20, 2015) Sailors man the rails aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) while the ship departs Klaipeda, Lithuania. Jason Dunham is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Weston Jones/Released)

 

[Hindustani78]

Two Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, from the New Jersey Air National Guard's 177th Fighter Wing, left, lead a mixed formation including a Bulgarian air force MiG-29 Fulcrum and MiG-21 Fishbed over Bulgaria during Thracian Star on July 20. Master Sgt. Andrew Moseley/Air Force

 

[Hindustani78]

Czech soldiers of the 73rd Tank Battalion, 7th Mechanized Brigade load their T-72 Main Battle Tank onto a flatbed truck while conducting railhead operations during exercise Allied Spirit II at the train station in Parsberg, Germany, on Monday. Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Allen/Army

Ministry of National Defence Republic of Lithuania :: News » News Releases
2015.08.07
On August 6 soldiers with the Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Battalion and D Company of the 173rd Airborne Brigade trained delivering live fire from the BGM-71 TOW (tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided) anti-tank missile units at the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Range (Pabradė). Participants honed their firing skills and accuracy by trying to hit armoured targets at the distance of nearly 2 kilometres. The live fire exercise is a part of Exercise Uhlan Rage that involves Lithuanian and U.S. troops and will is running for two weeks.


“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.

 

[Hindustani78]

Mortar men with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, assist an ally from 1st Brigade Estonian Defense Force as he hangs a mortar into a tube during a mortar live fire exercise, Estonia, Aug. 7. Spc. Jacqueline Dowland/Army

On Aug. 10, 2015, soldiers assigned to B Company, 43rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, hover their Black Hawk helicopter above soldiers assigned to Dog Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 4th Infantry Division and Lithuanian Land Forces soldiers, after the teams on the ground sling loaded a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles during bilateral training called Uhlan Fury being held in Pabrade, Lithuania. Sgt. James Avery/Army

Lithuanian soldiers assault a mock building on Aug. 11, 2015, during exercise Uhlan Fury, a bilateral training mission currently being held the General Silvestras Zlikaliskas Training Area, Pabrade, Lithuania. Sgt. James Avery/Army

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of National Defence Republic of Lithuania :: News » News Releases
2015.08.13
On August 12 soldiers of the Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Battalion and Company D of the 173rd Airborne Brigade taking part in Exercise Uhlan Rage trained conductive offensive and defensive operations with air support from UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters at the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area.

“I am very happy we included air support into our joint exercise with allies. It is a great opportunity for our troops to train and improve their skills. Involvement of helicopters greatly enables me as company commander, elevates operational planning of the company to a higher level and gives a lot of priceless experience,” Captain Arnoldas Žilys, commander of the IInd Company of Birutė Uhlan Battalion said.

According to the exercise scenario, join Lithuanian-U.S. forces were tasked to seize a complex of buildings controlled by opposing forces in the area of operation. The operation involved UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters taking troops to the theatre and airlifting the equipment for the offensive later.

The troops playing the opposing force prepared plan of the defensive, made ambushes, while TOW anti-tank systems teams integrated into the joint operation were hunting not only the airlifted equipment but also the helicopters unloading troops and vehicles.

Soldiers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade of the U.S. Army have been deployed to 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.

U.S. troops are taking part in collective and individual training exercise in Lithuania alongside Lithuanian counterparts.

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.

 

[Hindustani78]

Lithuanian engineering battalion

Army novices nine months of service will be given in writing proprietary Lithuanian army uniforms printed two outdoor costume kits, consisting of a jacket and trousers. Together, they will receive a written anonymising and printed T-shirt short and long sleeves, a hat field uniforms, field uniforms jacket.

Future soldiers will also be distributed to the lingerie sets, tracksuits and cold weather for the clothing - hat, soldier, sweater, gloves, outdoor warm uniforms kit, cold weather for briefs and kaklamautė. Young people will be provided and shoes - will receive two sets of outdoor shoes, slippers and sneakers.

Conscripts receive through service in the assault equipment needed - they will be distributed to high-capacity accoutrements backpacks, jackets accoutrements, palapinsiaustės, sleeping bags and cold weather chilly, trays grenades, ammunition magazines, flasks, kettle, military spades, after sleeping bags and mats reflective vests. Conscripts will also receive a smaller accoutrements items - compasses, slepiamųjų paint kits, flashlights, knee pads, gloves tactical attack, earplugs, safety glasses, sun and dust (with removable glass), bags wash. They will also be distinguished by the military and specialty includes additives (eg., For the gunner, messengers and so on.).

Newcomers will live in the barracks and eat in canteens units, and the exercise will be organized during the service field training areas and training areas.

 

[Hindustani78]

August 10-15 June. Lithuania and the United States armed forces logistics specialists participated in the exercise in logistics Lithuania and Poland. It was the first of three training during which troops trained for loading, cargo, refueling and other logistical activities.

Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytenis Main Support Logistics Battalion, Supply and Distribution Company of the US Army and Direct Support Company, deployed Vytenis Battalion, theoretical exercise cycle is completed in a substantial US contingent of soldiers in the Baltic countries.

Since June, Lithuania deployed US Army 173rd Airborne Brigade soldiers, as well as the direct support of the Brigade company. The company together with Vytenis Battalion logistical, at the end of the theoretical lectures, will continue to participate in the practical field exercises, which will be held in August, September and October.

Rotate the US Land Force contingents in the Baltic States and Poland deployed since last spring as part of the US operation in Atlantic Resolve "(Lith." Atlantic determination ") in Eastern Europe.

Operation Atlantic Resolve "participating contingents rotate among the measures taken by NATO in response to changes in the security situation in the region and strengthening the Baltic States and Poland met the security of the Russian annexation of the Crimea.

 

[Hindustani78]

Engineering Battalion

 

[Hindustani78]

Battle tanks, armored assault vehicles, and indirect-fire capabilities, including artillery and mortars, are delivered in the port of Bremerhaven, Germany, to move the U.S. Marine Corps Combined Arms Company into Eastern Europe, Aug. 17. The CAC will reassure NATO Allies and partners with the capability and access for improved military exercises in the region. Sgt. Tatum Vayavananda/Marine Corps

Ministry of National Defence Republic of Lithuania :: News » News Releases

Having finished two-month training with the Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Battalion in Alytus sodiers of the rotating U.S. forces in Lithuania will continue to hone joint procedures with King Mindaugas Hussar Battalion in Panevėžys.

On August 18 the U.S. flag was symbolically lowered before a formation to mark the end of an intense two-month combat training cycle of Delta Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade, with the Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Battalion in Alytus.

During the cycle of training that began in June U.S. troops and soldiers of the Uhlan Battalion were honing combat skills and interoperability procedures, and gained experience from each other.

Before leaving U.S. soldiers thanked for the warm welcome and excellent training conditions.

Soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade of the U.S. Army are the 6th shift of the rotating U.S. forces in Lithuania.

U.S. troops are taking part in collective and individual training exercise in Lithuania alongside Lithuanian counterparts.

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.



Credits: Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Battalion (1-5), King Mindaugas Hussar Battalion (6-7)

 

[Hindustani78]

A UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter lifts off with a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle during Exercise Uhlan Fury at the Gen. Silvestras Zlikaliskas Training Area, Pabrade, Lithuania, on Aug. 10. Sgt. James Avery/Army

 

[Hindustani78]

Marine tanks, artillery and light-armored reconnaissance vehicles arrive in Bulgaria to support NATO allies and international partner countries. Cpl. Justin Updegraff/Marine Corps

U.S. paratrooper from Attack Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade marches with paratroopers from Folgore Regiment, Italian Army on Balchik Air Base, Bulgaria, as part of Swift Response 15 on Tuesday. Staff Sgt. Cody Harding/Army

 

[Hindustani78]

Army Pvt. Danny Couch of McEwen, Tenn., assigned to Dog Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, low crawls under simulated cover toward a firing position during a Lithuanian Land Forces Best Squad Competition on Thursday in Rukla, Lithuania. Sgt. James Avery/Army

Soldiers assigned to Dog Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade traverse a water obstacle with their gear during a Lithuanian Land Forces Best Squad Competition on Thursday in Rukla, Lithuania. Sgt. James Avery/Army

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of National Defence Republic of Lithuania :: News » News Releases
2015.09.02

On September 3 NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė will inaugurate the NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU) Lithuania at a ceremony in Vilnius.



NATO Secretary General will be accompanied by Chairman of the NATO Military Committee General Petr Pavel who will unveil the NFIU plaque on its headquarters building together with Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas Žukas.


At the ceremony National Flag of Lithuania, flags of NATO, Vilnius City and the NATO Force Integration Unit will be hoisted to the tunes of the anthems of Lithuania and NATO.


Soldiers of the Hungarian Air Force will perform a flypast with JAS–39 Gripen fighter jets in the honour of ceremony participants and residents of Vilnius on the occasion of the ceremony.


The event will also be attended by Prime Minister of Lithuania Algirdas Butkevičius, Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas, Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius, Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum General Hans-Lothar Domröse, Commander of the Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast Lieutenant General Manfred Hofmann, Commander NFIU Lithuania Colonel Jakob Søgård Larsen, Chairs of the Committees for Foreign Affairs, National Security and Defence, European Affairs of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania, and other guests.


The establishment of these six NFIUs was agreed at the Wales Summit in 2014. NATO will take further steps at the Warsaw Summit and beyond. All the six NFIUs were officially activated on Monday, September 1. All the six NFIUs are planned to reach full operational capability ahead of the NATO Summit in Warsaw in 2016.


Activation of the NFIUs is part of NATO's fundamental adaptation in the face of security challenges from the east and the south.


NATO Force Integration Units are small command and control headquarters whose key mission is to facilitate the rapid deployment of the NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) and additional rapid response elements into the region if needed.


The NFIUs will have a key role in planning, exercising, and assisting potential reinforcements, providing a vital link between national forces and multinational NATO forces.


The NFIU in Lithuania will operate as an intermediate unit facilitating interoperability among national and the region-deployed allied forces. It will also contribute to enhance allied training and exercises, and liaison with NATO’s operational commands.


Staff at the NFIU will cooperate with national forces to identify traffic junctions, key logistical and other necessary infrastructure in the country which will facilitate the quickest possible redeployment of NATO’s response forces into the Baltic region.


The NFIU in Vilnius will comprise roughly 40 military personnel, half of which will be provided by other allied nations. The international staff will comprise representatives from more than 10 NATO member states.


The NFIU in Lithuania is under command of Colonel (Danish Army) Jakob Søgård Larsen. Lieutenant Colonel (Lithuanian Land Force) Mindaugas Petkevičius is acting as second in command.

 

[Hindustani78]

3,500 Fort Stewart soldiers to deploy to Europe for 2nd rotation

FORT STEWART, Ga. — The Army is sending about 3,500 soldiers based in Georgia to Europe for the second time this year.

Commanders at Fort Stewart said Wednesday troops from the 1st Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division will deploy across the Atlantic Ocean later this month.

Roughly 1,500 of the Georgia soldiers will serve a three-month rotation as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, launched last year to demonstrate American commitment to stability in Europe. They will be sent to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary.

The rest of the troops will head to Spain and Germany for military exercises with NATO partners.

The 1st Brigade from Fort Stewart served its first three-month European rotation earlier this year, beginning in March.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

[JPMM]

Portuguese from RC6 (6th Cavalry Regiment - Braga) in Lithuania