In the evening of March 17 the 8th rotation comprising approx. 170 Portuguese Marine Corps members deployed to Lithuania. The Allies will train with members of the Lithuanian Great Hetman Jonas Karolis Chodkevičius Infantry Brigade Griffin and other Lithuanian Armed Forces’ units until July in implementation of the NATO deterrence measures for strengthening security in the region.
The Portuguese rotational contingent in Lithuania comprises an infantry company, logistical and special operations capabilities and also to canine officers brought to Lithuania to train explosive detection and assault tasks.
“We have deployed with two service dogs who are a recently added capability we are developing, we found the mission in Lithuania perfect for this task. The capability is here to perfect handler and service dog skills and competence rendering combat support to our Marines and special operations units,”” said Commander of the K9 Unit of the Portuguese Rotational Unit Lieutenant Commander Andre Pedro.
The military equipment of the rotation (trucks, ATVs and inflatable boats) necessary for the training mission will catch up with the Portuguese personnel soon via Klaipėda Seaport. The Allies will continue to train waterborne infiltration and exfiltration, object assault, different kinds of reconnaissance and live fire at the Brigadier General Povilas Plechavičius Training Area at Kairiai (Klaipėda region).
Portugal has been contributing troops in Lithuania as part of the NATO Assurance Measures since 2015 thus consistently strengthening regional security in the Baltic states. The NATO instrument was launched following the annexation of Crimea and entail deployment and training of Allies’ forces in the eastern flank of NATO. The Portuguese Armed Forces is also contributing air detachments to the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states on a regular basis in demonstration of its strong commitment to the Alliance’s collective defence.
Photo credits: Cpl Gabija Vaitkutė.
