On June 14 - 15 the new Commander Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum General Ingo Gerhartz paid a visit to Vilnius where he met with Chief of Defence General Raimundas Vaikšnoras and visited the Defence Staff.
Generals discussed key topics of regional security: implementation of NATO’s deterrence and defence plans, progress on the German Brigade stationing in Lithuania, development of the 1st Division of Lithuania, considerations regarding Exercise Zapad 2025, posture of the U.S. forces in the region and continued assistance to Ukraine.
“Lithuania appreciates the Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum’s commitment to deterrence and defence of the eastern flank. Your Command plays a critical role in ensuring security in our region, from daily situational awareness to practical readiness for implementation of the regional defence plans,” noted General Raimundas Vaikšnoras.
According to him, the operational area of the eastern part of NATO is particularly important in terms of the most proximate threats, which calls for a particularly close cooperation between the Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum and the Joint Force Command Norfolk, quick adaptation of the plans and an efficient integration of new capabilities.
The Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum is an operational-level NATO headquarters which ensures command of the NATO Rapid Response Force of standby and generation of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force.
The Headquarters also fosters the connectivity between NATO’s command and military structures and coordination of deterrence measures and defence readiness in the region.
Photo credit: Sgt Spc Karolis Kavolėlis.
