Land Element of the Operations Capability of the Domestic Support Forces (DSF OC LE 2) formed by the Lithuanian Grand Duke Kęstutis Mechanised Infantry Battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade "Iron Wolf" entered a two-year stand-by period in the beginning of 2012.
The element is ready to implement the necessary domestic support tasks throughout the duty period: respond to infringements of state sovereignty, enforce state border defence, implement protection of vital state objects and their defence against mass acts of violence, as well as render support to state institutions during emergencies.
"Although the Kęstutis Battalion and the units attached were not ordered to perform the designated tasks, we had several opportunities to test our readiness in real-life conditions. According to my estimation, joint training with authorities and guard services of state objects is beneficial from a variety of aspects to the personnel of the Battalion and all the subordinate units," said Chief of Staff of the Battalion Maj Elegijus Paulavičius. He also stressed that the priceless experience of cooperation with other Lithuanian military units and civilian institutions which has been accumulated from the beginning of the year will let exploit the available resources even more precisely and efficiently, synchronise emergency response actions and act in accordance with corresponding assistance plans, as well as conduct analysis and make decisions in case of contingencies in the future.
Evaluation Domestic Support Exercise "Strong Shield 2011" which was held last November demonstrated that troops were ready to complete the designated tasks. An intense training continues to maintain a relevant combat readiness level of the troops.
Three training phases of DSF OC LE 2 took place at the Kęstutis Battalion during the stand-by period. The first phase focused on operational planning training for the Kęstutis Battalion Staff. Military personnel of the Command Groups of the units listened to theoretical lectures on a variety of military areas. The following phase covered collective operational planning with officers from the Gen R. Giedraitis Artillery Battalion, Air Defence Battalion of the Lithuanian Air Force, Combat Support and Medical Support Unit. Map exercise, reconnaissance of operation area, and training to correct operational plans in case of necessity took place. Theoretical-practical phase for commanders of military units provided an opportunity to familiarise with negotiation and communication with the media techniques, methods of offender detention, and peacetime measures. Military personnel of the Command Group of the 1st Mechanised Infantry Company of the Kęstutis Battalion trained to call in and control air support, communications specialists of the companies' command groups conducted a communications exercise. The third phase included tactical command post training, Staff and the Command Groups used dummies for training on-site operation planning.
The troops underwent training in the following state and high-risk objects during the past half-year: JSC "Orlen Lietuva" (Mažeikių Distr.) and Butingė Oil Terminal (Butingė, Palangos Municipality.), JSC Kruonis Hidroaccumulation Power-Station (HAPS) (Kaišiadorių Distr.), and JSC "Achema" (Ruklos Eldership). According to the training schedule troops of the 1st Mechanised Infantry Company of the Kęstutis Battalion underwent a joint training with object guard services "Increasing level of protection of objects in the event of necessity". In simulated situations troops trained to detain persons attempting to illegally access the objects, conducted inspection of cars and persons in installed check posts.
"Men did a hard job implementing the combat readiness plan and completed training tasks in state objects. Having reviewed the implemented asks as the company commander I can only express my satisfaction with great performance of troops and high evaluation of the authorities. I cannot neglect the motivation of my troops who are real professionals in their respective areas. We will do our best to maintain high readiness and professional level throughout the stand-by period", said Capt Dmitrijus Markauskas, Commander of the 1st Mechanised Infantry Company of the Kęstutis Battalion.
Other exercises are planned currently too - together with the Border Guard Service under the Ministry of the Interior and other units of the Domestic Support Forces, troops of the Kęstutis Battalion will be trained to respond to sovereignty infringements, enforce state border guard, render comprehensive assistance to the Fire and Rescue Department in case of contingencies, etc.
Apart from the 1st Mechanised Infantry Company of the Kęstutis Battalion DSF OC LE 2 also includes personnel from the 103rd Company of the 1st Territorial Unit of the NDVF Darius and Girėnas Military District, the 203rd Company of the 2nd Territorial Unit of the NDVF Darius and Girėnas Military District, the 302nd Company of the 3rd Territorial Unit of the Žemaičių Military District, and the 808th Company of the 8th Territorial Unit of the Didžiosios Kovos Military District, the Engineer Platoon from the Juozas Vitkus Engineer Battalion, the Forward Support Element of the Duke Mechanised Infantry Battalion, reconnaissance platoon of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf, and mortar platoon of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion.
Information the Kęstutis Battalion
Pictures from MOD archive
