On the first week of March Commander of the Allied Special Operations Forces Command Lt Gen Richard E. Angle with a delegation paid a visit to Lithuania. The U.S. General met with acting Chief of Defence (Chief of the Joint Staff) Lt Gen Remigijus Baltrėnas and representatives of the Special Operation Forces.
“The U.S. and the Lithuanian Special Operation Forces maintain a strong and durable bond, just like the other services. The long-standing cooperation with the U.S. military is mutually beneficial and makes the Alliance stronger, and it will deliver in terms of tight interoperability if required,” Chief of the Defence Staff Lt Gen R. Baltrėnas said.
At the meetings, further collaboration of the Allied Special Operation Forces Command, Lithuanian and the U.S. Special Operations Forces, a critical element in strengthening defensive capabilities, improving operational interoperability and ensuring regional security. Joint exercises and development of strategic partnership to ensure effective response to arising threats and enhance Allied readiness for different operational environments were also discussed. .
The aim of Lt Gen Richard E. Angle’s visit was to discuss further collaboration and its importance in strengthening security of Lithuania and the Baltic region. The guests familiarized more closely with Lithuania’s security situation and thanked Lithuanian Special Operations Forces personnel for their competence, dedication and longstanding support to the U.S Special Operations Forces. The Lithuanian special operations troops are consistently contributing to joint operations, exchange experience and contribute to Allie forces efficiency.
“The Lithuanian Special Operations Forces are highly professional and reliable Ally whose contribution to regional security is invaluable,” said Lt Gen Richard E. Angle. “As their cherish their national heritage of defending freedom, they closely collaborate with NATO Allies and partners thus demonstrating the strength of the NATO collective defence and deterrence.”
“The strength of the Special Operations Forces lies not just with advanced tactics and equipment but also the determination and values of the personnel. Our cooperation with NATO Allies amplifies the determination to defend the homeland and contribute to collective defence across the different operational environments,” underscored Commander of the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces Col Darius Milašius.
Partnership and interoperability of the Lithuanian and the U.S. Special Operations Forces started forming in 2002 when the Lithuanian personnel joined Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Over more than two decades, the collaboration has been consistently growing: annual joint exercises hone interoperability and interaction.
The annual exercises perfect Special Operations tasks: identification and neutralization of strategic targets, disruption of hostile forces, and execution of complex combat operations. Such cooperation builds combat skills as well as ensures high readiness for real-life combat scenarios which enhances national and regional security.
Info and photo credits; Lithuanian Special Operations Forces
