On June 29 HE Mr Ambassador Kęstutis Jankauskas of the Lithuanian Permanent Representation to NATO and Military Representative Maj Gen Vitalijus Vaikšnoras paid a formal visit to the NATO Special Operations Headquarters (NSHQ) at SHAPE where they met the leadership of the Headquarters and toured the NATO Special Operations Forces Training Centre (SOF TC).
At the meeting with the NSHQ leadership the objectives of the Headquarters as well as daily activities and future plans and priorities of the development of cooperation among the special operations forces of the Alliance and involvement of partners were presented. Commander of the Lithuanian Special Operations Squadron "Aitvaras" presented the activities of the joint Lithuanian and Latvian Contingent and current security in the province of Zabul, Afghanistan, via teleconference. The NSHQ leadership were particularly positive about the contribution, activity, and cooperation of Lithuanian troops at the Headquarters and the whole Afghanistan.
Ambassador and Military Representative highlighted the significance of the development of the NATO Special Operations Forces and the opportunity given to the Lithuanian military to participate in joint military training events.
During the visit at the NATO Special Operations Forces Training Centre the structure of the Centre, techniques and methodology applied in delivering the courses were presented. Military personnel of the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces are also delegated to undergo professional training courses at the Centre.
NSHQ is the primary institution of the NATO SOF Transformation Initiative (NSTI). It renders advice in the SOF development area to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and the NATO Chain of Command. The institution serves as a platform for transformation processes aimed at building on the SOF capabilities, leader education and development, training and doctrine, information systems and infrastructure.
