"We have discussed with Brigadier General James J. Mingus, Deputy Commanding Officer of the 4th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, the actions needed to ensure the readiness for further deployment of NATO units along its outward borders, and also for potential political decisions to be made at the NATO Summit in Warsaw in July," Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas Žukas said after the meeting in Vilnius on May 5. The need to refine plans of joint military training and the necessity to arrange exercises with regard to Lithuanian and NATO defence plans and rules of engagement of NATO forces.
Major focus during the meeting was given to the progress in Lithuanian-U.S. cooperation achieved from deployment of the first rotational U.S. company in 2014 till the present combined actions between Lithuanian and U.S. forces. Wider involvement of the NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU) Lithuania into the support to the rotational U.S. forces was also addressed.
Brig Gen J. Mingus underscored that plenty of valuable experience had been gained over the time, interaction among allies had been enhanced, soldiers had had opportunities to improve tactical skills and knowledge alongside Lithuanian soldiers while operating in Lithuanian natural and urban conditions. U.S. military personnel also received valuable cultural awareness as well as that of the history, traditions and customs of the country.
After the meeting Brig Gen J. J. Mingus presented a Commendation Medal to Commander of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Colonel Raimundas Vaikšnoras for the support to enhancing interaction between the forces.
Brigadier General James J. Mingus, Deputy Commanding Officer of the 4th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, also met with Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Major General Almantas Leika.
Generals met at the Lithuanian Land Force HQ and discussed the close cooperation between the 4th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, and the Lithuanian Land Force: participation of U.S. forces deployed in Lithuania in national and international exercises here, the training mission in Ukraine, and enhancement of cooperation between the Pennsylvania National Guard and the National Defence Volunteer Force.
The guest also paid a visit to the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf and met with the unit's leadership.
Currently, the 10th U.S. rotation, coming from the 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army Europe, is training in Lithuania.
Credits: I. Budzeikaitė
Acting Spokesperson for the Chief of Defence of Lithuania Captain Donatas Suchockis
Office phone no. 00370 5 278 5091, cell phone no. 00370 682 25359, e-mail: donatas.suchockis@mil.lt
