On May 3 Exercise Saber Strike 2018 was opened with an official ceremony near the Defence Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces in Vilnius. The ceremony opening the international exercise running concurrently with national Exercise Thunder Storm 2018 was attended by Vice Minister of National Defence Giedrimas Jeglinskas, Deputy Commanding General of the US rotational forces in Europe Brigadier General Richard Coffman, Chief of the Defence Staff Major General Vitalijus Vaikšnoras.
Brigadier General Richard Coffman underscored that the exercise, held since 2010, was designed to enhance interaction between allied troops. "This year the exercises focuses on strengthening interaction of land, maritime, air, and special operations capabilities, and also gives a training opportunity for the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Groups deployed in the Baltics," the US General said about the exercise.
The exercise enhancing regional stability will have roughly 18,000 soldiers from 19 countries training in Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Poland. The part in Lithuania will involve up to 6,600 US troops. Chief of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Defence Staff Major General Vitalijus Vaikšnoras stressed that Exercise Saber Strike 2018 was a great opportunity for Lithuanian and allied troops to rehearse actions in case of a crisis together, and Lithuania has a chance to train Host Nation Support procedures.
One of the essential elements of Exercise Saber Strike 2018 will be redeployment of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment of the US Army from its base in Vilseck in Germany. Roughly 3,000 US soldiers and over 1,500 combat equipment units will be taking two routes to deploy from Germany to Latvia and Lithuania. US soldiers are expected to make stop-bys on the way to allow local communities to familiarise with their vehicles, weaponry and gear. The most intense movement will take place on June 6-9 when military equipment columns will be driving on civilian roads of Lithuania to exercise sites from Poland via Kalvarijos and Lazdijai border-crossing posts. One of the highlights in this year's exercise will be the Nemunas crossing operation on June 13: soldiers and equipment of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, United States Army, will conduct a tactical crossing of River Nemunas near the town of Kulautuva (Kaunas district).
All national and international exercises running in Lithuania are strictly defensive in character and focused on ensuring sovereignty of the host nations. All international exercises on Lithuanian soil are coordinated by the Defence Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces which is also directly heading national Exercise Thunder Storm 2018 at the same time.
POC: Capt Tomas Pakalniškis, +370 657 61271, tomas.pakalniskis@mil.lt
Photo credits: Capt. Paulius Babilas
