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7th Portuguese rotation homebound after deployment in Lithuania

7th Portuguese rotation homebound after deployment in Lithuania

June 26, the 7th rotational contingent of the Portuguese Armed Forces cased the colors and received medals at the Kairiai Training Area. The unit employed in Lithuania to support deterrence and counter threats facing the eastern Allies on April 4. The Portuguese marines-fusiliers have been deployed in Klaipėda since 2018 to train assigned to the Lithuanian Great Hetman Jonas Karolis Chodkevičius Infantry Brigade Griffin. The Portuguese Armed Forces deploy military personnel with their own equipment: ATVs, rigid-hull boats, other equipment and weaponry.    

“Your entire team, officers, NCOs and privates, were key to mission success. Accept our gratitude,” said Commander of the Portuguese Marine Force in Lithuania Lieutenant Captain Nuno Correia Marques.

Over the deployment period the Portuguese guests engaged in a series of exercises alongside Lithuanian and other Allied colleagues: international exercise Brave Griffin 24 of the Infantry Brigade Griffin, Wet Grass-Snake 2024, Light and Fast, Storm Strike 24, special forces exercise Flaming Sword 24. They combined wits with the Infantry Brigade Griffin to hone amphibious landing with rigid-hull boats, object assault, different reconnaissance tasks, live fire.   

“We have enjoyed excellent cooperation with colleagues from the Infantry Brigade Griffin, the Navy, Air, Special Operations Forces. We had to leave our comfort zone to train at Exercise Brave Griffin 24 in unusual meteorological conditions, as well as to encounter the usual enemy and put ourselves to test in position defence at Exercise Storm Strike 24. Our Special Operations Forces rehearsed their irregular warfare skills at Exercise Flaming Sword 24. We were also able to test our new operational concept at Exercise Light and Fast where our force was reinforced by Lithuanians and executed  distributed operations using our full arsenal: special operations, EOD divers, landing and force projection,” told PR representative of the Portuguese Marine Force in Lithuania Gonçalo Jones said.  

Portugal deployed approx. 150 troops in total, representatives of an infantry company, logistical and special operations units. The leaving contingent was recognized for mutual assistance with Lithuanian Armed Forces-level medals. The partnership between the Lithuanian and Portuguese militaries fosters competence exchange, improvement of skills and strengthens the unity and security of the Alliance.

“It is a pleasure to see the fourth Portuguese contingent over my term as Brigade Commander.  Every year you deploy to Lithuania our partnership grows stronger and our mutual understanding becomes better. This year, we have been able to refine our operating procedures and integration in Brigade routines in the period between the arrival on April 4 and the exercise in the Suwalki Gap. I am proud of our reconnaissance units and I thank you for these months of intense and friendly cooperation. I look forward to your return this winter so that we can once again prove ourselves in adverse environment,” said Brigade Commander Col Aurelijus Alasauskas addressing the troops.

The Portuguese Marine Force has been deploying to Lithuania since 2015 as part of the Assurance Measures –air, maritime and land measures to strengthen security of the Central and Eastern European NATO Allies after the annexation of Crimea.  Portugal actively contributes the Assurance Measures in Lithuania with marine rotations and contributions to the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states.

Photo and info credits: IB Griffin