On June 4 Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Arvydas Pocius attended a formal handover of responsibility for security in the province ceremony in Zabul province while conducting a visit in Afghanistan.
"This event marking completed training of local security forces and the handover of responsibility for security in Zabul province to the national Rapid Response Company is an obvious proof of the success of our Special Operations Forces in implementing the tasks of the international operation in Afghanistan. It is also one of the cornerstone aspects ensuring that the principle of collective defence applies in our homeland too," Lithuania's Chief of Defence said.
Governor of Zabul and Chief of National Police also expressed gratitude to Lithuanian soldiers at the ceremony.
Special Operations Squadron Aitvaras has been cooperating with the Rapid Response Company of the National Police in Zabul since training the first 20 policemen in 2009. Today the number of trainees has grown to 130. Afghan officers were trained for independent work starting with operational planning, completion and heading of tasks. Aitvaras personnel involved their trainees in the completion of certain actual tasks which has built the efficiency of training and a strong mutual trust with the Rapid Response Company of the National Police of Zabul.
Lithuanian Armed Forces information.
Photo credits: Ieva Budzeikaitė
