October 26, deployment ceremony for the tenth shift of the Lithuanian-led Ghowr Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT-10) before the mission in Afghanistan was held in Alytus. The event was attended by the Minister of National Defence Rasa Juknevičienė, Chief of Defence Maj. Gen. Arvydas Pocius, Commander Land Force Brig. Gen. Jonas Vytautas Žukas, leadership of Alytus City, District and Region, guests, and families of soldiers.
The solemn ceremony will begin by celebration of a holy mass after which the event will proceed to the Town Hall Square where a solemn parade will take place.
During the ceremony Minister of National Defence Rasa Juknevičienė presented the flag of Lithuania for the Commander PRT-10 Commander of the 8th Territorial Unit of the National Defence Volunteer Force Lt. Col. Gediminas Macijauskas.
„Soldiers do not inquire why there is the need to go to multinational missions because they understand that Lithuania's security must be ensured far beyond the borders of Lithuania. We are NATO members, of an organisation helping Lithuania ensure its security, and our presence in Afghanistan is our greatest contribution into the Alliance," said Minister R.Juknevičienė addressing the soldiers. The Minister also wished luck and experience for the soldiers and the joyful moments of return for their families.
Chief of Defence Maj. Gen. A.Pocius wished determination, courage, dedication and devotion for the military service for the departing peacekeepers. „I really hope that in the theatre you will once again prove to be soldiers worthy of trust and respect. Service in Ghowr is a challenge you have to face and I believe you to be ready for that challenge," said Chief of Defence Maj. Gen. A. Pocius.
PRT-10 is formed on the basis of the 1st Territorial Unit of Dainava Military District of National Defence Volunteer Force (NDVF), part of personnel comes from other NDVF territorial units and divisions of Lithuanian Armed Forces. A significant part of members in PRT-10 have already served in multinational missions in the Balkan region, Iraq and Afghanistan. One third of the contingent's personnel are volunteers who will leave their civilian jobs and education institutions as well as families and relatives in Lithuania for the period of rotation.
PRT-10 is formed on the basis of the 1st Territorial Unit of Dainava Military District of the National Defence Volunteer Force. A considerable part of the rotation already have been deployed to multinational missions in the Balkan Region, Iraq, Afghanistan. Volunteer soldiers comprise one third of the shift. Together with Lithuanian military and civilian personnel representatives of Denmark, Georgia, Japan, the USA, Croatia, Romania, and Ukraine provide security in Ghowr.
Third shift of the National Support Element of the Lithuanian Armed Forces formed in the beginning of this year took part in the deployment ceremony together with PRT-10: it is responsible for providing general logistic support for Lithuanian units, soldiers and civilians serving in Afghanistan. Personnel of NSE will also include American and Ukrainian members.
Following the tradition Chief of Defence will present peacekeepers with small gifts - amber key pendants.
It will be the first time that half of rotation will wear desert camouflage uniforms, and the other half - green ones. Just like before desert uniforms and equipment will be given to mobile liaison and observation teams, some of the staff's elements and leadership in need of leaving the camp's territory to conduct tasks in Ghowr regions.
The rotation will depart to Afghanistan in the end of October.
Lithuanian-led PRT took up responsibility for security in Ghowr in June 2005. PRT is a joint military-civilian mission operating under International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Its main task is to help Afghan Central Government extend its authority in the province, and to ensure security and environment suitable for provincial reconstruction. Together with the PRT Lithuanian Special Mission is works in Ghowr.
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More facts about Lithuania's contribution to multinational operations:
Other missions of the Lithuanian Armed Forces in Afghanistan. Lithuanian Special Operations Forces Squadron conducts a mission under ISAF in the southern Afghanistan, province of Kandahar. Lithuanian officers are also deployed to ISAF operational headquarters in Kabul and Herat. LAF National Support Element in Kabul since February 2009 ensure logistic support of Lithuanian civilian and military personnel serving in Afghanistan.
Missions of the Lithuanian Armed Forces in Iraq, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Currently Lithuania has four military in the NATO Iraq Training Mission preparing local security forces. Five Lithuania soldiers serves in a similar mission in Kosovo. One officer represents Lithuanian Armed Forces in „ALTHEA" Operation Headquarters in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Picture by A.Pliadis.
