On September 17-18 Commander of the NATO Special Operations Headquarters (NSHQ) Vice Admiral Colin Kilrain conducted a visit in Lithuania to meet with top command of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the Special Operations Forces and to discuss overall security situation in the country and region. Other topics addressed were readiness to operate in a hybrid conflict, development of the Lithuanian Special Operations capabilities for national and NATO needs, further training and mentoring of Ukrainian troops according to NATO standards.
Lithuania assigns a special operations squadron and staff personnel to the Component Command for NRF on an annual basis. Lithuanian troops are providing training assistance to Ukraine's special operations troops in order to fulfil NATO-Ukrainian cooperation agreements.
The NSHQ mission is to coordinate activities of all NATO special operations forces and to contribute to capability and opportunity development. By order of SACEUR, NSHQ assigns high readiness control and command element to respond to crises in the region.
NSHQ provides special operations expert advice, information, training, education, and crises response planning for NATO and NATO allies and partners on a daily basis. NSHQ includes a special operations school where operational level personnel is trained in planning, reconnaissance, and provisional development. There are also courses in medicine, air support, forensics.
Photo credits: Major M. Neimontas
