January 12, change of command of the Baltic Naval Squadron (BALTRON) took place at a ceremony at the Klaipėda Warship and Cruise Ship Terminal. Lt Cdr Karolis Lileikis (Lithuanian Navy) rotated in to replace Cdr Janis Auce (Latvian Navy). The ceremony was attended by Commander of the Lithuanian Navy Captain Giedrius Premeneckas and Commander of the Latvian Navy Captain Māris Polencs.
“It is critical to maintain close ties with our closest historical Ally, Latvia, to be able to respond to the current regional security situation. As we enhance our bilateral cooperation, we are also increasing the strength of NATO,” said the new BALTRON Commander.
At the ceremony, Commander of the Latvian Navy Capt Māris Polencs presented to Cdr J. Auce who had been in charge of BALTRON since 2021 the 2023 command pennant of the unit. In his turn, Commander of the Lithuanian Navy Capt Giedrius Premeneckas presented the new BALTRON command pennant blessed by Navy Chaplain Cdr Remigijus Monstvilas to Lt Cdr K. Lileikis.
Established in 1998, BALTRON, the Baltic Naval Squadron, currently comprises the LNS Varonis (A-90) (Latvian Navy) and the LNS Skalvis (M53) MCM ship of the Lithuanian Navy whose crews compose the International Staff. The squadron is a rapid response unit of the Baltic Navies that is mainly tasked with neutralization of unexploded World War I and World War II mines and ammunition on the Baltic seafloor. The unit also serves as a platform for training ahead of commissioning to NATO units.
Photo credit: PO3 A. Bertulė
