On October 15-16 Chief of Defence of Norway Haakon Bruun-Hanssen conducted a work visit to Lithuania: met with Norwegian soldiers deployed as part of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group Lithuania and Chief of Defence of Lithuania Maj Gen Valdemaras Rupšys.
"I thanked Adm H. Bruun-Hanssen for the efforts of the Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Norway to strengthen the security of the Baltic region, the presence of the Norwegian company with tanks and armoured equipment in Lithuania and for strengthening air defence of our country by training and consulting Lithuanian soldiers in air defence systems integration," Chief of Defence of Lithuania Maj Gen V. Rupšys.
Chiefs of Defence also discussed regional security and bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
It is the second time Adm H. Bruun-Hanssen visits Norwegian military personnel in Lithuania and the Lithuanian Armed Forces Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf during his term in office. In Rukla he was welcomed by Commander of the Iron Wolf Brigade Col Mindaugas Steponavičius and soldiers of Norway.
The current rotation of the multinational NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Lithuania includes one Norwegian Leopard 2 A4 tank platoon and a mechanised infantry platoon with CV9030MkIII infantry fighting vehicles and support elements.
The guest delegation viewed the combat and transportation vehicles of the Norwegian contingent, infrastructure of the Lithuanian Great Hetman Jonušas Radvila Training Regiment, met with Commander of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group Lt Col Rouven Habel and later - with Commander of the MIB Iron Wolf Col Mindaugas Steponavičius.
At Rukla Garrison Commanders of the Brigade and the multinational Battle Group debriefed the guests on the structure, capabilities, development plans of their respective units, and international exercises planned in the country.
POC:
PAO of the MIB Iron Wolf Command 1st Lt Aleksandr Seliuk
+ 370 5 278 5180, +370 638 89219, aleksandr.seliuk@mil.lt
Spokesperson for the Chief of Defence of Lithuania Maj Tomas Balkus
+370 5 278 5091, +370 682 25359, tomas.balkus@mil.lt
Photo credits: Maj Tomas Balkus and SSgt Virginijus Stonys
