On January 23 Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas and representatives of the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces met with NATO Special Operations Forces (NATO SOF) Commander Vice Admiral Sean A. Pybus conducting a visit in Lithuania with whom perspectives of the involvement of SOF in multinational operations, exercises and training events were discussed.
"The Lithuanian Special Operations Forces are rather small in size but their role is influential and efficient both in the context of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and in NATO SOF. I am very proud of my troops keeping pace with the large countries both in terms of the level of training and the tasks they are completing. Support from the NATO Special Operations Headquarters (NSHQ) that comes as courses arranged, support during implementation of tasks, and an opportunity to share knowledge and experience with other countries, is also useful for maintaining the level," the Commander of the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces said the meeting.
At the meeting such points as cooperation within NATO Special Operations Forces, enhancement of their readiness as well as deployment in cases of crises in the territory of Lithuania and beyond were addressed. An emphasis was placed on the objective to cooperate more intensely and to exchange information and experience with other civilian and military institutions vital for a successful completion of SOF operations.
"The decision Lithuania had made to form the Special Operations Forces as a separate service was the one that paid off very well and set an example too. As much as I had the opportunity to observe and familiarize - Lithuanian special operations troops are particularly impressive. Investment into the Special Operations Forces yields extraordinary reward and visibility. I am glad I got the opportunity to visit your country and to work side by side with the Lithuanian SOF. I am also absolutely satisfied with the officers that the Lithuanian SOF have been delegating to the NATO Special Operations Headquarters," said Vice Admiral Sean A. Pybus, NATO SOF Commander.
Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas also underlined the importance of NATO multinational exercises at the meeting. "We seek to have NATO exercises, including NATO special operations forces exercises, held in our region on a permanent basis. Participation provides an opportunity to exchange lessons learned which is a wonderful contribution to the enhancement of the special operations forces and improves the overall Alliance response," Minister J.Olekas said.
At the meeting the Lithuanian Special Operations Force, a part of complex combat operations in Afghanistan since 2002, were also discussed noting that it was planned to carry on contributing to the military activities in the country in 2014-2015 as well as to join other operations alongside the Alliance forces.
NATO SOF Commander Vice Admiral Sean A. Pybus is conducting a visit in Lithuania on January 22-24. While on the visit he will tour various divisions of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and meet with the officers in command and with the Chair of the Committee on National Security and Defence of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.
The NATO SOF Headquarters is the chief institution for coordinating development and activities of all the NATO special operations forces.
The Lithuanian Special Operations Forces have been completing combat operations in Afghanistan since 2002. International SOF Exercise Flaming Sword takes place in Lithuania annually, Lithuanian SOF personnel cooperate closely with U.S., Nordic and Baltic countries' and Polish special operations forces, and take part in various NATO SOF exercises. Special operations troops of other NATO member states' special operations forces attend courses at the Lithuanian-hosted Lithuanian Special Operations Forces Training Centre established in cooperation with the allies.
Photo by Alfredas Pliadis
