On July 3 soldiers of the rotational force of Portugal were formally welcomed at the Lithuanian Grand Duke Butigeidis Dragoon Battalion of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Motorised Infantry Brigade Griffin in Klaipėda. The Portuguese rotational force will be training together with units of the Motorised Infantry Brigade Griffin until September.
"We are always glad to get an opportunity to train alongside our NATO allies. You are the third rotation the Motorised Infantry Brigade Griffin will host I welcome you to Klaipėda. We are very happy with the results of the previous missions of rotational forces, professionalism of the soldiers and the success of the training in general. I wish you to be strong and what is most important - to share experience during the different exercises in Lithuania," Chief of Staff of the Motorised Infantry Brigade Griffin Lt Col Viktoras Bagdonas greeted the allies.
The Portuguese troops were also welcomed by Mayor of Klaipėda city Vytautas Grubliauskas. "It is a privilege to have you here in Klaipėda. Our seport always welcomes, loves and respects our guests. I wish you strength in completing your tasks together with Lithuanian soldiers and I also encourage you not to miss the opportunity to see the main sites and communicate with residents of our city to whom your presence means a sign of NATO unity and resolve to ensure the security of our region," he said.
The rotational force will be under the command of Lt Cdr Ricardo Pereira Da Silva. The officer thanked for a warm welcome and support at the ceremony in Klaipėda and wished his soldiers resolve with four months of intense training in Lithuania ahead of them.
The Portuguese soldiers will be based at the barracks of Butigeidis Battalion in Klaipėda and will train mainly with the Battalion's soldiers. Over the entire rotation time they will also train with colleagues from the Lithuanian Navy and the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces.
The Portuguese soldiers brought military equipment - all-terrain vehicles, trucks and combat inflatables boats. All the Host Nation Support - lodging, catering, logistical support - is provided by the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
The Portuguese rotational force is deployed to Lithuania as part of the Assurance Measures agreed to by NATO for strengthening the security of Central and Eastern European allies. Rotational land force companies of Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, U.S., Poland, Luxembourg, Hungary and Germany have trained in Lithuania so far since spring 2014 when the Assurance Measures were established. This Portugal's rotation is the fifth one deployed to Lithuania by the country.
Laura Jokšaitė
