On October 5 military personnel and 80 military vehicles of the German 41st Mechanized Infantry Brigade’s 413th Jäger Battalion deployed to Rukla, Lithuania, via Klaipėda Seaport. Approx. 250 German troops and their equipment will be taking part in Exercise Fast Griffin, the first joint training event since the agreement with German on assignment of a brigade to Lithuania made in June.
The Brigade Forward Command Element has been deployed in Lithuania for permanent presence since September, Brigade components are in Germany, pre-assigned and combat-ready in no notice. The Forward Command Element will conduct exercise planning with Lithuanian units to ensure high readiness and interoperability.
Exercise Fast Griffin will take place in Gaižiūnai Training Area, the German Allies will be joined by troops of King Mindaugas Hussar Battalion of the Lithuanian Armed Forces to train for the over al exercise objective: integration of the German Brigade into Lithuania’s defence plans.
Germany leads the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group based in Rukla since its formation in 2017, the country invests in military infrastructure in Lithuania and contributes to modernization of the Lithuanian Armed forces.
Photo credit: Sgt Spc 1st Class Ieva Budzeikaitė | Lithuanian Armed Forces
