On November 26 - December 14 over 5,500 soldiers from 16 NATO allies and partners are rehearsing defensive operations together in international Exercise Combined Resolve XI. Part of the Exercise runs in Lithuania - staff of the Mortised Infantry Brigade Griffin is training at the General Adolfas Ramanauskas Warfare Training Centre in Nemenčinė. A the same time over 300 soldiers of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion are deployed to train in the main exercise location in Germany.
Algirdas Battalion troops are deployed with their own weaponry and equipment and train to complete defensive operations alongside Ukrainian and Georgian companies as a mechanised battalion in composition of a U.S. infantry brigade.
All of the training audience of the exercise is formed as an international division with four subordinate brigades. Two Brigades from Lithuania (the Griffin Brigade) and the United Kingdom are taking part in the Exercise from their home countries using tactical simulation systems, while the infantry and close air support brigades formed by U.S. soldiers are conducting tactical field training with units and equipment in Germany. Aside from soldiers of Algirdas Battalion there are soldiers from the Land Force Staff, Mechanised Infantry Brigade Staff and subordinate units deployed to Germany to various Exercise positions in division and brigade-level staffs.
Commander of the Motorised Infantry Brigade Griffin Col Artūras Radvilas stressed the importance of the exercise and the opportunity to train as part of a division at the Exercise opening ceremony at the Gen A.Ramanauskas Vanagas Warfare Training Centre, and expressed delight that it was the first time the Control Group of the recently established Duke Margiris Infantry Battalion would be training together. Soldiers of the MIB Griffin are using the JCATS in Lithuania to complete Exercise tasks together with allies deployed across Germany.
"When training multinational operations, combat units of the Brigade are gaining invaluable battlefield experience, whether training on the ground or controlling operations in virtual space. It sustains readiness to respond to potential security threats," Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Maj Gen Valdemaras Rupšys said about the Exercise.
Exercise Combat Resolve XI focuses on planning and completing military tasks in order to ensure forces in Europe are unified and able to coordinate and carry collective international defence. It also fosters international cooperation, integration of soldiers from different countries and their ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. The Exercise is organised by the U.S. 7th Army Training Command that has delegated a group of observers-assessors to supervise Lithuanian participants training at home.
POC: PAO for the Lithuanian Lang Force Capt Donatas Suchockis, +370 640 45380, donatas.suchockis@mil.lt
Photo credits: Cpl Monika Zabinaitė
