Portugal's rotational forces are deploying in Lithuania to train for four months alongside colleagues from the Lithuanian Grand Duke Butigeidis Dragoon Battalion, Motorised Infantry Brigade Griffon. A welcome ceremony for the troops will be held on May 16 in Klaipėda University yard.
It will be the fourth company-sized rotation from the Portuguese Armed Forces in Lithuania. It will bring all-terrain vehicles, trucks and CRRCs. The rotation includes roughly 150 soldiers of the Marine Corps of the Portuguese Armed Forces. During the rotation period the Portuguese soldiers will also train together with the Lithuanian Navy and the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces.
The Portuguese rotation has been deploying in Lithuania in several groups since May 5 already, while roughly 40 items of military equipment will be transported in via Klaipėda Seaport on May 16.
In its turn, Lithuania renders full Host Nation Support - lodging, catering, other logistical support.
Portugal's rotation is a part of the NATO Assurance Measures for NATO's Central and Eastern European allies designed to enhance security. Since spring 2014, rotations from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, USA, Poland, Luxembourg, Hungary, and Germany have already trained in Lithuania.
Portugal is an active contributor to the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states - the 47th air policing mission it is currently leading is the fourth time of its air personnel and assets on this duty. Portugal also takes part in the activities and implementation of the tasks of the NATO Force Integration Unit in Vilnius by posting staff officers.
Note. The welcome ceremony in Klaip4da University yard on May 16 will be attended by Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Brig Gen Valdemaras Rupšys, leadership of the Motorised Infantry Brigade Griffon, Commander of the Lithuanian Navy Captain (Navy) Arūnas Mockus, leadership of Klaipėda City, Commander of the Portuguese Air Force Detachment conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states Lt Col Alfonso Gaiolas, and other guests.
PAO: senior specialist for CIMIC, MIB Griffon, Cpl Donatas Barsys. +370 706 70051, +370 629 03 293.
Photo credit (related image) Pte Ambrozas
