On December 13-17 the 13th rotation of Lithuanian peacekeepers will take part in tactical field training to undergo evaluation of progress of readiness of PRT-13 staff and other units for deployment to the multinational ISAF mission in Afghanistan.
Exercise „New Rotation" will take place in the territory of Pajuostys Airport (Panevėžio Distr.) in a field camp installed for the exercise period. Military personnel of PRT-13 will carry out a spectrum of peacekeeping tasks, plan operations, arrange patrols and escorts, provide guard of the camp, conduct fictitious meetings with „local Afghans". Around 200 troops will be involved n the training event.
Next March PRT-13 is expected to pass validation exercise before deployment.
PRT-13 based on King Mindaugas Mechanised Infantry Battalion's personnel will be deployed to Afghanistan in May of 2011. At the moment the 12th rotation of PRT is providing security in Ghor province of Afghanistan, the shift is manned by personnel of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion.
The Lithuanian-led PRT in Ghor is a joint civilian and military mission, the part of NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) that was launched in Ghor in the summer of 2005. The camp of the PRT is located in the provincial capital Chaghcharan.
Representatives from Denmark, Georgia, Japan, USA, Poland, Finland and Ukraine work together with Lithuanian military and civilian personnel in the base camp of Ghor PRT.
Note for the media:
Media representatives wishing to observe PRT-13 training are invited to register at 00370 682 64 331 or e-mail paulius.babilas@mil.lt/ before November 15, 10.00 hrs. Conatct person - PIO for PRT-13 1st Lt Paulius Babilas.
Picture by 1st Lt Paulius Babilas
