April 2, a five-day final training event "PRT-15 Challenge" will begin in the Kazlų Rūdos Training Area (Marijampolė Distr.). During the event readiness of the 15th shift of Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT-15) and the 4th shift of the Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (POMLT-4) will be tested and certified with the perspective of deployment on the multinational mission in Afghanistan.
Before April 6 troops will install themselves in the Kazlų Rūdos Training Area, in an ad hoc area in all the respects resembling the PRT camp in Ghor, the mission area. There are more than 250 troops involved in the training, including US and Ukrainian military personnel who will be deployed on the mission.
The exercise will take place in a real-life terrain were all kinds of tasks characteristic to the mission area will be simulated: movement of units, tactical action, detonation of explosive devices, medical evacuation, logistic provision, communication with local population, demonstrations of local inhabitants.
During the exercise command and control skills of unit commanders during peace support operations will be tested, including cooperation and exchange of information with superior staff and units. Their ability to respond to emerging situations during an operation will be observed, decision-making ability, coordination of the actions of units, reporting, interaction with civilian environment, cooperation with representatives of local administration, security and other organizations, ability to communicate with "local population" will be tested.
Exercise "PRT-15 Challenge" is organized by the Command Staff of the Motorised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf and the Evaluators' Team is formed by PRT-13 personnel that were redeployed from Afghanistan quite recently. Majority of the organising and evaluating personnel have acquired experience and skills in the Lithuanian-led mission in Afghanistan.
During the exercise real-life support is conducted by the Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytenis General Support Logistic Battalion.
PRT-15 is formed by the Lithuanian Grand Duchess Birutė Motorised Infantry Battalion of the Lithuanian Land Force. The shift is led by Lt Col Artūras Radvilas. PRT-15 will deploy to Ghor in May, it will be the second deployment of the Battalion's personnel. Combat flag of the unit first flew in the PRT camp in Chaghcharan in 2008.
POMLT began operating in Ghor in mid-November 2010, the shift includes 20: 12 US military and 8 Lithuanian military police and public security officers. Commander of POMLT-4 is Maj Darius Bartasevičius. The main role of POMLT is training, advising and employing other means to contribute to raining Afghan National Police Forces.
Lithuanian-led PRT in Ghor is a joint civilian and military mission, a part of NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), launched in the province in summer of 2005. The essential task of the mission is to support Afghan government in extending its authority in the province, ensuring security and creating conditions for provincial reconstruction. Staff of the Lithuanian-led PRT in Chaghcharan includes Georgia's, Japan's, US, Poland's, Finland's, and Ukraine's representatives alongside Lithuanian military and civilian personnel.
On the 4th of January, 2012, the town of Chaghcharan and the surrounding area were approved to join the transfer of responsibility process in Chaghcharan. Responsibility of local security forces, i.e. ANA units and police, for the security in their country is gradually increased since then. The key role of Lithuanian-led Chaghcharan PRT is training of the Afghan National Security Forces with a focus on instructions.
Currently the 14th shift of PRT based on the 5the Territorial Unit of the Vytis Military District of the Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces. Military and civilian elements of PRT-14 in Ghor is accompanied by Georgia's, Japan's, US, Poland's, Finland's and Ukraine's representatives.
PR Officer of MIB Iron Wolf Capt Ainaras Jonaitis. Cell phone 00370 614 35693; e-mail ainaras.jonaitis@mil.lt
Photos by 1st Lt Andrius Česnauskas: PRT-15 on pre-mission training.
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For the media:
On April 4 (Wednesday) media representatives are invited to participate in the Visitors and Media Day to observe the exercise in the Kazlų Rūda Training Area (Marijampolės Distr.). Refgistration to attend the event is accepted till April 3 at phone no. 00370 614 35693 (Capt Ainaras Jonaitis).
