On May 22 this year's largest tactical field training event, Exercise Black Arrow 2014, of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade (MIB) Iron Wolf was crowned with a joint airborne landing and assault operation executed successfully by forces of two NATO allies, Lithuania and the United States of America. The exercise trained over 1.5 thousand Lithuanian and U.S. soldiers defensive tasks in the territory of Lithuania.
"The exercise is a demonstration of an excellent interoperability between Lithuanian and U.S. forces and the professionalism of our nations' troops. This is a new experience for both troops, of Lithuania and the allies. And it is thanks to such exercises that our military professionalism is growing," Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas said after the observation of the joint Lithuanian-U.S. operation.
The Minister also stressed that the exercise was aimed at staying prepared to respond to all sorts of changes in the security situation in the Baltic States. "The deployment of U.S. forces is a huge support and demonstration of NATO solidarity," Minister of National Defence said.
The operation involved reconnaissance personnel of the MIB Iron Wolf and members of the U.S. Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade performing parachute jumps into an area controlled by hostile forces. Supported by fire of the U.S. paratroopers the Lithuanian participants assaulted the objects identified beforehand and neutralised the secured adversary. The airborne landing and assault operation involved over 100 Lithuanian and U.S. soldiers.
The operation was also observed by Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Major General Almantas Leika, Chief of the Joint Staff Brigadier General Vilmantas Tamošaitis, Director General for Capabilities and Armaments Brigadier General Gintautas Zenkevičius, leadership of participating military units, representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania, U.S. Defence Attaché in Lithuania, representatives of the municipal administration of Jonava, and other guests.
"The two-week long and challenge-packed exercise was essential for all of us. We have been able to get ready for national defence side by side with paratroopers of the United States of America. The exercise participants were faced with new tasks therefore they had to act with precise coordination, joint effort and steadfast trust every day," Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force MG A. Leika said.
According to the General, the joint airborne landing tasks and training of all arms for the first time performed by ground forces of two NATO allies would make Exercise Black Arrow 2014 a history-making event for the Lithuanian Land Force.
The airborne landing and assault operation was followed by Exercise Black Arrow 2014 closing ceremony. Vice Minister of National Defence Marijus Velička, Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force MG A. Leika, and First Secretary of the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania Joseph. A. Hamilton thanked the exercise participants standing in a parade at the Gaižiūnų Training Range for their professionalism, tasks completed and challenges met successfully.
The Lithuanian and the U.S. participants exchanged "parachutists' wings" signifying the cooperative jump of both nations' forces and the successful completion of the airborne landing, and also - adding a nice touch to the closing ceremony.
Lithuanian military trained at Exercise Black Arrow 2014 alongside a company-sized unit (approximately 150 members) of the Vicenza, Italy-based 173rd Airborne Brigade which was moved to Lithuania with own equipment and weaponry required for the purposes of joint exercises.
So far, U.S. military presence is planned to be maintained in Lithuania till the end of the running year. Currently the U.S. troops are accommodated at the Lithuanian Grand Duke Vaidotas Mechanised Infantry Battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf in Rukla.
The U.S. military will engage in the combat training of the Lithuanian Land Force throughout the country during the deployment in Lithuania. Following Exercise Black Arrow 2014, the U.S. troops will take part in a joint U.S.-Baltic States Exercise Saber Strike, and other cooperative training events.
Lithuania is providing the U.S. military with all the elements of host nation support necessary, i.e. accommodation, meals, logistic provision, etc.
The United States has deployed land force troops as a NATO ally in response to the threats for the region posed by the Russian intervention in Ukraine. The United States is also deploying army companies to Poland, Latvia and Estonia.
Previous releases regarding Exercise Black Arrow 2014:
http://kariuomene.kam.lt/en/international_military_exercises/black_arrow/news_4084.html
POC - Assistant to the Commander of the MIB Iron Wolf Captain Ainaras Jonaitis. Mobile phone no. 00370 614 35 693; email: ainaras.jonaitis@mil.lt
Photo gallery at MoD Facebook account.
Photo credits: SFC Eugenijus Žygaitis.
