On February 12 Deputy Commander of the United States European Command Lieutenant General Timothy M. Ray paid a visit to Lithuania. In Vilnius the guest met with Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas Žukas, representatives of the Ministry of National Defence and The Lithuanian Armed Forces Defence Staff.
At the meetings Lt Gen T. M. Ray was briefed on the security situation in the region, capabilities of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, development and combat training plans. Significant attention was given to deterrence, compatibility of Lithuania's defence plans with NATO and U.S. plans concerning the defence of our region, and the need to enhance air defence capabilities in the region.
Chief of Defence thanked Lt Gen T. M. Ray for the U.S. support which was strengthened both, after the military conflict in Ukraine broke out an during Exercise Zapad last year. He also expressed the expectation the U.S. reinforcement would be just as swift in case of a crisis.
"We think it would be a very beneficial idea to rehearse various scenarios of the Baltic states' defence in the future, particularly in the air and at sea. Therefore, we would highly welcome a U.S. initiative to arrange a joint air-maritime reinforcement exercise," Lt Gen J. V. Žukas.
The United States of America is Lithuania's strategic partner and a key ally to our security. The United States is actively involved in the implementation of the assurance measures in the Baltic states, strengthening security and stability of the region.
The U.S. deployed land force companies in each of the Baltic states and Eastern European allies immediately after the Russian aggression in Ukraine in 2014. The units were training there on a rotational basis until last September as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, U.S. land force operation in the eastern part of the Alliance.
The United States contributes a battalion-sized battle group to the part of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence in Poland as of last year.
The U.S. supports enhancement of regional air capabilities, takes up the role of leadership and takes part actively in the arrangement of different military exercises in the Baltic states, deploys air capabilities to the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states.
The United States finances military infrastructure development projects in Pabradė, Rukla, Air Base in Šiauliai, etc. The U.S. plans allotting additional USD 100 million to increase resilience of the three Baltic states.
Spokesperson for the Chief of Defence Major Mindaugas Neimontas, office phone no.:+370 5 278 5091,+370 682 25359, mindaugas.neimontas@mil.lt
Photo credit: Maj M. Neimontas
