The Best Warrior Competition attended by foreign representatives, Lithuanian servicemembers, for the first time has concluded at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, U.S.
The traditional 3-category event saw 20 best PANG NCOs and soldiers compete for the NCO of the Year, Soldier of the Year and Command Sergeant Major’s NCO Leadership Awards. Lithuanians from the Land Force and the National Defence Volunteer Force took part in the event on guest rights: Cpl Mantas Narbutas and Pfc Ignas Bartušis (Lithuanian Grand Duke Kęstutis Infantry Battalion, Infantry Brigade Griffin), Cpl Edvinas Norkus and Pfc Kiprijonas Ivinskis (6th Territorial Unit, Resurrection Military District, National Defence Volunteer Force).
The participants were challenged hold out against fatigue and surprise effect and also successfully undergo M4 carbine and M17 pistol qualification, live fire and paramedical tasks, cross an obstacle course and a water barrier as planned tasks. Other competition challenges covered a 19 km ruck march with a 17 kg weight and navigate an unfamiliar terrain during the dark and light part of the day, as well as physical fitness test and other tests and tasks involving theoretical and practical readiness.
Lithuanian Land Forces soldiers showcased excellent performance and professionalism against the best of PANG and won 9 prizes, Cpl Mantas Narbutas received top evaluations in several classifications.
The Pennsylvania National Guard which Lithuania has a longstanding close partnership with is one of the largest and oldest guards in the U.S. defence system. Lithuania and the PANG have been engaging through the ambitious State Partnership Program for over 30 years. Since 204 Lithuanian and U.S. military personnel have been training in joint exercises together, the armies, air forces and national guards of the U.S. and Lithuania maintain intense collaboration, joint cyber defence projects are developed. PANG military personnel were part of the Lithuanian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Ghor (Afghanistan) in 2009-2012. The relevance of the partnership made a leap in 2019 when the Lithuanian Land Force and the 28th Division signed an agreement on the intent of developing a division-level command and control capability. The PANG Aviation centre of Excellence has been providing training for Lithuanian pilots and ground maintenance personnel since Lithuania’s decision to purchase the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.
