Video report (by SFC E.Žygaitis)
Multinational Exercise Iron Sword 2014 was officially declared closed at the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area in Lithuania, November 13. Participants of DV Day observed a dynamic display - a combined military offensive operation, and a static display of combat equipment and weaponry.
"Collective defence is the basis of the united and strong NATO. The Wales Summit agreed on concrete collective defence measures for the Baltic States. This exercise is a good proof that NATO is placing special focus on our security and taking concrete measures to ensure it," the President said.
The official closing was attended by Vice Minister of National Defence Ramūnas Usonis, Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Major General Almantas Leika, Lithuanian MPs, ambassadors and military representatives of the nations participating in Iron Sword 2014, and other guests.
Distinguished Visitors and Media Day was followed by the official closing of Exercise Iron Sword 2014. Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Major General A.Leika, Officer Conducting Exercise Iron Sword 2014, greeted the soldiers lined up for the ceremony. "This is a really exceptional exercise. It is wonderful that NATO allies understand the significance of such exercises and responded to the invitation to participate in exercises and train in Lithuania," Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Major General Almantas Leika said.
After the conclusion of Exercise Iron Sword 2014 the participating units will return to their permanent bases, either in Lithuania or abroad. In the several days to come the allied forces will depart Lithuania via Vilnius International Airport, Klaipėda Seaport, Lithuanian railways or public roads. Since organisers of the exercise are concerned that the departure of the military equipment from the exercise would not cause any inconveniences for Lithuanian population, the departing combat vehicles will be escorted by military police of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
Iron Sword 2014 involved over 2.5 thousand participants from 9 NATO allies. Lithuania was represented by soldiers of the Lithuanian Land Force, the Lithuanian Air Force, the Logistics Command, the Military Police, and the Training and Doctrine Command, training alongside personnel roughly 500 allied troops - an air defence platoon from the Czech Republic, an infantry platoon from Estonia, a company of the 2nd Battalion of the 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division and another from the 173rd Airborne Brigade of the U.S. Army, both deployed in Lithuania, a reconnaissance company and an engineer platoon from Germany, an infantry company from the United Kingdom, an infantry company from Hungary, an infantry platoon from Canada and a reconnaissance platoon from Luxembourg.
Over 300 combat vehicles have been assembled at both training ranges, including the BRADLEY tracked infantry fighting vehicles, the BPZ heavy tracked armoured recovery vehicles, the M113 armoured tracked personnel carriers, the STRYKER, the FUCHS, the BTR-80 and the BTR-80 AM wheeled armoured personnel carriers, the HMMWV, the DINGO, the FENNEK and the EAGLE IV light armoured military all-terrain vehicles, the SISU multipurpose trucks, various other military trucks and four-wheelers.
Exercise Iron Sword 2014 was organised by the staff of the Lithuanian Land Force, also in charge of arranging the Host Nation Support for the exercise participants deployed by NATO allies. Exercise Iron Sword has been planned to be held annually and involve even more NATO and partner states.
The Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force is in charge for arranging the Host Nation Support for the exercise participants deployed to Iron Sword 2014 by NATO allies and for evaluating the national units taking part in the exercise so the event gives an excellent opportunity for the Lithuanian Armed Forces to practice rendering host nation support and hone procedures for receiving allied forces in the territory of the Republic of Lithuania, as well as for training military units to act in concert with the allies.
More on Iron Sword 2014: http://kariuomene.kam.lt/en/international_military_exercises/iron_sword_2014.html
Photo credits: Alfredas Pliadis (1-5) and Ieva Budzeikaitė (6-7)
