On August 5-13 Commander of the Lithuanian Land Fore Brig Gen Valdemaras Rupšys is conducting a formal visit in the United States of America. He is taking part in the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian armies' and US Armed Forces staffs' talks and visiting with soldiers of the 2nd Mechanised Infantry Company, Algirdas Battalion, Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf on exercise in the US.
On August 6-8 Brig Gen Valdemaras Rupšys and a delegation of Lithuanian military representatives attended US-Baltic staff talks which addressed the most important military cooperation events of last year and Exercise Saber Strike 2018, lessons learned and best practices were shared, military cooperation in the region next year and challenges were discussed, and a protocol of intent was signed in the end.
At the staff talks Brig Gen Valdemaras Rupšys praised the particularly productive cooperation of the Lithuanian Land Force and the US Army Europe (USAREUR), the efficiency of work of Lithuanian liaison officers, and emphasised that discussion of host nation support topics in such format is one of the most important things that would ensure the quality of exercises organised in the future. "The three Baltic states, even though in the same reign, have a number of differences that this format helps assessing and solving. No technical means will work better than live communication and discussion , therefore person-to-person relation in these talks will help to ensure the quality of our and our allies' training in the region," Brig Gen Valdemaras Rupšys said at the event.
Representatives of the three Baltic delegations also met with Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. James C. McConville at the Pentagon to discuss military cooperation with the US in the region.
On August 9-13 Commander of the Land Force will also meet with soldiers of the 2nd Mechanised Infantry Company, Algirdas Battalion, Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf on exercise in the US. The Lithuanian company with assigned units is training in Exercise NTC 18.9 alongside allies at Fort Irwin National Training Centre in California. The Lithuanian company is rehearsing offensive, defensive, and region stabilisation operations. The exercise is currently in active phase. The exercise is invaluable experience for Algirdas Battalion troops - assigned to US units they are training in enervating heat and desert conditions.
Baltic-US Army Staff Talks
The Baltic-US Army Staff Talks is an annual event hosted by one of the Baltic states or the US in turn. This year the usual participants are joined by Poland to discuss Exercise Saber Strike 2018 and host nation support challenges.
Photo credits: Capt K. Bogdanas
