On June 2 Commander of the EU Battle Group Brigadier General of the Polish Armed Forces Sławomir Wojciechowski visited Headquarters of the Motorised Infantry Brigade „Iron Wolf" in Rukla (Jonavos Distr.) and met with Commander Col. Vilmantas Tamošaitis and representatives of staff. In the meeting Brigade, its objectives, structure, activity and weaponry was represented to the guest.
After visit in the Brigade Commander EU BG proceeded to Vilnius were e met with acting Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Col. Sergejus Draščiukas and staff officers.
In the meeting the guest will be briefed on the Land Force's history, structure, development plans, and international commitments of Lithuania.
Brig. Gen. S. Wojciechowski took interest in the objectives of the Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Force and shared Poland's experience in the field.
The guest emphasised that Lithuania's contribution to the EU Battle Group was very important and added that he was satisfied with cooperation with Lithuania. The General mentioned that it was crucial to continue cooperation of the countries after standby in the EU BG is finished in June. According to the guest, EU BG is a rewarding project giving member states a lot of experience in military and political cooperation.
On June 3 Brig. Gen. S. Wojciechowski will observe training of King Mindaugas Mechanised Infantry Battalion's company assigned for a half-year duty in his led EU Battle Group from 1 January 2010.
Lithuania's contingent in the EU Battle Group consists of a motorised infantry company with support platoon of King Mindaugas Mechanised Infantry Battalion, CIMIC group (of the National Defence Volunteer Force), MP division, troops serving in the international staff and National Support Element - 150 soldier in total. Lithuanians conduct duty in the EU Battle Group together with soldiers from Poland, Latvia, Slovakia, and Germany.
Battle Groups are high readiness rapidly deployable multinational joint forces capable of to conduct operations independently or in initial stage of a larger operation. EU BG get ready for deployment in 5-10 days once a political decision was issued, it is sustainable in operation theatre from 30 to 120 days (with resupply). Strength of one Battle Group is around 2,000 soldiers.
Brig, Gen. S. Wojciechowski is visiting Lithuania on June 1-3 June. On the first day of his visit the guest visited Ministry of National Defence and met with representatives of the Ministry and the Joints Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
More information at: Capt. Mindaugas Neimontas, phone no 00370 5 278 5094, 00370 680 62894.
Pictures of M. Neimontas and MSgt. Žydrūnas Dudonis
