The aim of the visit was to discuss and exchange information about International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operations in Afghanistan, Baltic Air Policing, Military Cooperation and the upcoming NATO military exercise being held in Lithuania in November 2011.
General Wolf Langheld passed on his gratitude to Lithuania for participation in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan "Lithuania is a very professional, capable and well respected member of the ISAF team", General Langheld stated. Lithuania has sent more than 200 troops to the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Ghor province in Chagcharan, a Police Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team also in Ghor province, an Air Mentoring Team in Kandahar and a Special Operations Task Force based in Southern Afghanistan. Lithuanian officers also serve in ISAF Regional Command West's Headquarters.
„NATO visibility in the region is becoming evident. High-ranking officials conduct visits regularly, exercises take place, regional cooperation with NATO and NATO commands is developed. We have to be prepared as a host nation to have NATO come and help us. Today's visit gave us an opportunity to define more precisely the „homework" we would have to do in the future," said Chief of Defence of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Maj Gen A. Pocius at the meeting with General Langheld.
During the visit General Wolf Langheld met with the Baltic Air Policing detachment which is the fourth rotation of German troops from Wittmund Air Force Base in Germany. The German air contingent guards the Baltic air space with six F-4 Phantoms and includes over a hundred troops, pilots, technicians, medical personnel and communications specialists.
Allied Joint Force Command (JFC) Brunssum in the Netherlands is one of three NATO operational level commands alongside JFC Naples, Italy and JFC Lisbon, Portugal. JFC Brunssum serves as the higher headquarters for ISAF in Afghanistan. Although ISAF remains JFC Brunssum's primary mission the head quarters is also tasked with NATO Article V Operational Contingency Planning, Baltic Air Policing, Military Cooperation and NATO Response Force (NRF) duties.
Captain Tomas Balkus
Spokesperson to the Chief of Defence of Lithuania
Office phone: 00370 5 278 5091,
Cell phone: 00370 682 25 359,
E-mail: tomas.balkus@mil.lt
