On March 2 Chief of Defence of the Republic of Finland Gen Ari Tapani Puheloinen visited the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces (LITHSOF). He was accompanied by a delegation: Colonel Jari Kallio, Commander of the Finnish Jaeger Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Erkki Pekonen, the Finnish Defence Attaché in Lithuania and other guests. The guests arrived accompanied by the Chief of Defence of Lithuania Major General Arvydas Pocius.
During the visit in LITHSOF Chief of Defence of the Republic of Finland and the accompanying delegation familiarized with the Special Operations Forces' structure, tasks, recruitment of the LITHSOF and the principles of division formation. The guests were also briefed about activity and tasks of personnel of the Squadron „Aitvaras" involved in the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operation in Afghanistan's Kandahar province.
During the meeting Commander or the Special Operations Forces stressed that Lithuanian soldiers respect the Finnish Winter War troops who stopped the attack of a much more numerous enemy on the country. To Gen. Ari Tapani Puheloinen significance of the Lithuanian resistance movement in the post-war decade as one of the most important sources of motivation for the Special Operations Forces soldiers was introduced. At the Memorial Cross to Resistance Fighters guests observed a minute of silence in memory in tribute of post-war „zaliukai"and laid flowers.
"It is very important that the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces respect and cherish traditions of their ancestors, post-war resistance and freedom fighters of Lithuania. This is certainly an important example of a soldier's strength for contemporary Special Operations Forces' troops as well," Chief of Defence of the Republic of Finland said.
"Lithuanian Armed Forces also has long traditions of historical battles too, and the Finnish and Lithuanian soldiers' fights for the independence demonstrate the importance of a timely response to the enemy," said the SOF commander.
During the visit, the guests watched an exercise, toured an exhibition of arms and accoutrements, and tested the sharpness of their eye in the shooting range.
During the meeting the meeting officers discussed possibilities of future cooperation.
LITHSOF information
