On December 17 the 5th Lithuanian Armed Forces instructors’ rotation returned from the Interflex, an international operation conducted by the United Kingdom as military training assistance to Ukraine. The mission equips members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with basic military skills and education so that they are able to execute offensive and defensive actions in open, urban or forested areas, are able to fight and defend entrenchments, survive in a complex battlefield situation, detect and cross mined areas, administer first medical aid in a tactical situation, and control automatic and antitank weapons.
Commander Interflex Colonel Andy Boardman sent a letter of appreciation to Commander of the Lithuanian contingent Major Gintaras Striupaitis expressing “heartfelt gratitude for an exceptional leadership and collaboration the Lithuanian military personnel have displayed in composition of Company Trident. Their contribution was critical to mission success.”
The group formed by instructors of the Great Lithuanian Hetman Jonušas Radvila Training Regiment, General Adolfas Ramanauskas Warfare Training Centre, Division General Stasys Raštikis Lithuanian Armed Forces School and MD Jonas Basanavičius Military Medical Service deployed to the training mission six months ago. Lithuanian military instructors were teaching Ukrainians basic infantry skills alongside colleagues from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada and Estonia.
Partners value Lithuanian military instructors for professionalism, quick adaptation to cultural differences in multinational setting and quick understanding of each other with the trained military and winning their trust. Interflex leadership presented Interflex coins to SSgt Romualdas Rogožas and SSgt Andrej Sijenko for distinguished service in ensuring training of the Ukrainian military personnel, impeccable and exemplary completion of tasks and expertise during the multinational Operation Interflex at the wrap of the tour of duty.
The Lithuanian Armed Forces will continue contributing to the multinational Interflex mission and the European Union Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) Ukraine, as well as different training programs for Ukrainian troops on the territory of Lithuania.
Photo credits: Lithuanian Armed Forces
