On June 20 a farewell ceremony was held in the garrison of Rukla for an outgoing rotation of U.S. military from the B Company of the 173rd Airborne Brigade of the U.S. Army in Europe (USAREUR). The rotation will be replaced by another team of U.S. military after nearly two months of joint combat exercises which will carry on with joint training with Lithuanian forces.
The ceremony was attended by Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Major General Almantas Leika and Commander of the Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade (MIB) Iron Wolf Major Mindaugas Petkevičius.
MG A. Leika thanked the outgoing allies for their sincere cooperation and the results achieved upon presenting remembrance gifts. "The successful and intense training alongside Lithuanian colleagues is not only a demonstration of U.S. and NATO solidarity but also a personal contribution from each of you. All together we have demonstrated that we are true professionals able to coordinate our actions, both possessing something others can learn form and both seeking further improvement. Joint combat training has given us not only enhanced professionalism but also new friendships. I am convinced that now we are better prepared for completing complex and intense military operations of diverse types. I want to thank all and each of you for your goodwilled cooperation and I wish you to take home plenty of nice impressions and memories from Lithuania," Lithuanian Land Force Commander MG A. Leika for members of the company of USAREUR's 173rd Airborne Brigade leaving after a nearly two month-long deployment in Lithuania.
The U.S. military deployed in Lithuania for completing collective defence tasks on April 26 were accommodated at the Lithuanian Grand Duke Vaidotas Mechanised Infantry Battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf in Rukla. They engaged in ground force combat exercises throughout Lithuania in May. The U.S. troops took part in Exercise Black Arrow in May, joined U.S.-Baltic States Exercise Saber Strike in June, and attended other cooperative training events.
USAREUR's 173rd Airborne Brigade will continue the cooperation with Lithuanian forces: the outgoing rotation will be replaced by a new one formed by its 91st Cavalry Regiment.
Information by the MIB Iron Wolf
Photo credits: 1LT Jaunius Matukas and PFC Viktorija Sinkevičienė
