On May 28 Colors of the 3-67 armor and the 1-9 field artillery battalions were cased at Camp Herkus and replaced with the colors of the 2-8 cavalry and 1-82 field artillery battalions, the latest U.S. rotational presence in Lithuania, at the hand over–take over of the rotational U.S. battalions ceremony in Pabradė.
“United States force presence in our region in uncertain times like these means is truly appreciated by the Lithuanian people. It is a demonstration that the United States act together with Lithuania to counter the threats. American troops in Lithuania alongside the NATO enhanced Forward Presence is the best deterrence against Russia,” said Vice Minister of National Defence Greta Monika Tučkutė expressing gratitude for the strong support to our national and regional security
The latest U.S. rotation arrived in May. The U.S. Allies will join battalions of the Griffin Brigade, separate companies and other units of the Lithuanian Armed Forces for different training exercises, live-fire training and events. The U.S. troops have brought the M109A6 Paladin artillery systems, Abrams tanks, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles.
“The United States is the deploying already the 10th rotational unit in Pabradė. The uninterrupted presence of the American rotational force is a demonstration of the lasting U.S. commitment to Lithuania, a NATO Ally. Enshrined in the Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, it is steadfast and unbreakable. In these times of immense instability in the region, the U.S. troop presence deters aggression and promotes peace,” said Ambassador of the United States to Lithuania HE Kara C. McDonald.
The departing battalion commanders and senior enlisted leaders were bestowed with National Defence System Medals of Merit and the contingent – Lithuanian Armed Forces Medals of Mutual Support. Commander of the Griffin Brigade Col Aurelijus Alasauskas thanked the U.S. force leadership and soldiers for the contribution and close partnership and successful training with Lithuanian military units, and wished a safe journey home. Deployed in Lithuania in September 2023, the outgoing rotation contributed to the junior officer command training, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Course, trained at the annual exercise of the Brigade Strong Griffin 2023 and 2024, took part in other military training and social events.
U.S. and NATO force presence in Lithuania is the key deterrent. The United States took the decision to maintain an uninterrupted rotational U.S. presence in the Baltic region. In its turn, Lithuania is committed to make every efforts to provide full Host Nation Support and proper infrastructure to the deployed forces. The heavy U.S. battalion have been rotating in to Lithuania since 2019.
The United States maintains a rotational presence in the Baltic states and Eastern Europe since spring 2014 as part of the U.S. Army operation in the eastern flank of the Alliance, Atlantic Resolve, to strengthen Allied defence and ensure security in the region.
Photo credit: Cpl Gabija Vaitkutė.