April 14-15, US Naval Forces Europe-US Naval Forces Africa Fleet Master Chief Master Chief Petty Officer (SW/AW/NAC) Bradley N. LeVault and US Navy Sixth Fleet Master Chief Petty Officer MCPO Jay R. Wood paid a friendly study visit in the Lithuanian Naval Force. Master Chief Petty Officers serve in the US Naval Forces Europe Command in Naples (Italy).
At the Lithuanian Naval Force Headquarters LNF Master Chief Petty Officer MCPO Gediminas Zabitis presented to the guests non-commissioned officer corps training and career system in the Lithuanian Armed Forces, and MCPO Michailas Karpuzovas briefed them on the structure, tasks, and ships and other equipment of the Lithuanian Naval Force. After the presentation the guests noted high qualification of non-commissioned officer corps in the Lithuanian Naval Force.
Representatives of the US Naval Forces and Master Chief Petty Officers of the Lithuanian Naval Force discussed further cooperation between national navies and points of training NCO corps. They also addressed the Eurasian support project to the Black Sea countries designed to enhance naval safety and security in organising training events for troops of the Black Sea region states.
The guests also took interest in cooperation of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in providing training for divers, signal and armaments specialists of national naval forces.
After dinner the high officers visited LNF warships - Standartfex class patrol ship P11 „Žemaitis", staff and support ship A42 „Jotvingis" - observed equipment and armaments and found out details of their technical capacity.
Later the guests visited subdivisions of the Sea and Coastal Surveillance Service, met with divers of the Underwater Warfare Unit who told about their at-sea tasks and equipment in possession. The visiting representatives expressed a pleasant surprise about the level of professionalism of mine-clearance divers of the Underwater Warfare Unit, as well as the number of diving hours they have per year.
Article based on Sgt. Audrius Vitkauskas' information.
Pictures by Sgt. A. Vitkauskas.
