January 12, the fifth rotation of the National Support Element (NPE-5) was deployed to the mission in Afghanistan. Rotation ceremony took place in Šiauliai Air Base of the Lithuanian Air Force.
National flag of Lithuania was presented to Commander of NPE-5 Lt Col Saulius Rožėnas, the leaving rotation was blessed by Chaplain of the Lithuanian Air Force Maj Virginijus Veilentas.
NPE-5 was deployed to the operation theatre immediately after the ceremony.
National Support Element includes over 20 Lithuanian troops and also military personnel from Ukraine and US.
National Support Element established in 2009 ensures logistic support to units and troops of the Lithuanian Armed Forces as well as civilian personnel deployed in Afghanistan in order to ensure improved efficiency of provision to operational capabilities. The Mani Group of NPE is deployed in the multinational Kabul Airport. Individual soldiers of the element serve in Kandahar Airport, NPE Support Group is based at the PRT camp in Chaghcharan. Currently more than 200 Lithuanian soldiers serve in Afghanistan. They perform duty in the NATO's ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) mission of Chaghcharan PRT in Ghor, ISAF headquarters in Kabul and Herat and mission of NATO operation in the south of Afghanistan.
