On September 20-21 Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR) General Sir James Everard was conducting a work visit in Lithuania.
"DSACEUR and I have discussed the security situation in the region, further NATO plans` regarding a stronger deterrence and defence in the region. We also addressed ways of further strengthening air and naval support of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Groups, including through corresponding exercises in the Baltic states; their combat training and aspects of deployment. We also talked about participation of troops in multinational operations," Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas Žukas said after the meeting with Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
The British General also visited the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Rukla. He met with its leaders, also, Lieutenant Colonel Mindaugas Steponavičius, Commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf the NATO Battle Group is integrated into, and Commander of the NATO Force Integration Unit Lithuania Colonel Jakob Søgård Larsen.
On September 21 DSACEUR paid a visit to the Lithuanian Armed Forces Joint Staff in Vilnius and met with Chief of the Joint Staff Major General Vitalijus Vaikšnoras, leadership of the NATO NFIU. The guest was briefed on the multinational operations the Lithuanian Armed Forces took part in, security situation in the Baltic region, Exercise Zapad 2017 conducted by the Russian Federation and Belarus.
Gen. J. Everard is the deputy to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Curtis M. Scaparrotti who provides command to all strategic level operations and exercise across Europe, sets strategic direction to his subordinate commanders and deputies through the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium.
Photo credits: Alfredas Pliadis, SSgt Edikas Ponomariovas, Capt Tomas Pakalniškis
