This week rotational U.S. forces and soldiers with the Lithuanian Armed Forces Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion are wrapping up intense training at the Urban Warfare Training Facility in Pabradė Training Area.
During the training soldiers used U.S. Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and live ammunition to train reacting to contact, acting in an ambush, and breaking of contact in the conditions of engagement in a populated area.
"Intense live exercise, particularly with live ammunition, helps improve communication among soldiers, also, troops are brought closer to real-life battle conditions which enhances overall readiness o the company to complete operation in populated areas," Sergeant 1st Class Edvardas Saženis, one of the live fire training supervisors, said.
According to the Lithuanian officers in charge, troops demonstrated once again in the training that quality beats quantity in a populate area.
Rotational U.S. company with the 4th Infantry Division 3rd Brigade Combat Team 68th Armor Regiment 1st Battalion, have been training in a several-month long joint exercises in Lithuania since mid-February.
In total, the current rotational U.S. force comprises over 120 soldiers, and several tens of tactical vehicles: M1A2 Abrams tanks, M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, all-terrain vehicles and trucks.
The United States of America has been maintaining a rotating presence in the Baltic States and Eastern Europe since spring 2014 as part of U.S. Army Europe operation in the Eastern part of the Alliance, Operation Atlantic Resolve. The U.S. presence demonstrates the unwavering U.S. and NATO commitment to collective defence and regional security in the context of the Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Phot credits: Algirdas Battalion
