On November 27 change of command ceremony of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade (MIB) Iron Wolf took place in Rukla, Battle of Saulė Square. Col Mindaugas Steponavičius relinquished to Col Mindaugas Petkevičius after nearly four years in the position.
The incoming commander was saluted and wished success by Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lt Gen Valdemaras Rupšys, Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Brig Gen Raimundas Vaikšnoras, leadership of the battalions assigned to the MIB Iron Wolf MPB, representatives of Jonava City Council, heads of statutory organisations, and other dignitaries.
"Colonel Mindaugas Steponavičius is an officer who proved that he deserved the position he was entrusted with many times and the MIB Iron Wolf team completed work of extraordinary importance and glorified the name of the nation under his command, Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Brig Gen Raimundas Vaikšnoras said at the ceremony.
Outgoing Commander Lt Mindaugas Steponavičius pointed out the professionalism and contribution of MIB Iron Wolf troops to projects for strengthening international security, standby for the European Union Battlegroups and National Rapid Response Force, participation in national and international exercises.
Combat readiness of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf Command Brigade Headquarters was certified according to the NATO Combat Readiness Evaluation System (CREVAL) procedures during Col Mindaugas Steponavičius tour of duty.
M. Steponavičius will continue service with the Lithuanian Armed Forces as the Commander of the Training and Doctrine Command.
The new MIB Iron Wolf Commander, Col Mindaugas Petkevičius started officer's career after graduating from the Gen Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, in 1996. The officer also graduated from the Baltic Defence College (Estonia), U.S. Army War College, and Kaunas University of Technology.
Before the current appointment Col Mindaugas Petkevičius was the Deputy Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force. His earlier positions include platoon commander, instructor, project officer, and Commander of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion. The officer also served with the MIB Iron Wolf Command, Joint Headquarters (now - Defence Staff) of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum (the Netherlands), NATO Force Integration Unit Vilnius, first as project officer, then as Deputy Commander. Col Mindaugas Petkevičius was deployed to international missions in Afghanistan where he carried out the duties of the Chief of Staff Operations Division (J3) in the Provincial Reconstruction Team.
The officer is a recipient of the National Defence System Medal for Distinguished Service, Lithuanian Armed Forces Medal of Merit, Lithuanian Land Force Medal for Distinguished Service, Iron Wolf Badge of Honour, and other decorations of different grades an Commander commendations.
together with the Motorised Infantry Brigade Griffin established in Western Lithuania, the MIB Iron Wolf constitute the core of the Lithuanian Land Force responsible for security and defence of the state, Host Nation Support to allies' forces deployed in Lithuania, and readiness for collective defence tasks.
Current composition of the MIB Iron Wolf is as follows: Brigade Headquarters with assigned Signal, Headquarters and Reconnaissance Companies, and 7 battalions (Logistic Battalion, Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Battalion, King Mindaugas Hussar Battalion, General Romualdas Giedraitis Artillery Battalion, Lithuanian Duke Vaidotas Mechanized Infantry Battalion, NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group).
PAO of the MIB Iron Wolf Command 1st Lt Aleksandr Seliuk
+370 21650, mob. +370 682 40381, aleksandr.seliuk@mil.lt
Photo credits: SSgt Virginijus Stonys
