Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Brig Gen Valdemaras Rupšys is attending one of the largest in the world global Annual Meeting & Exposition for land forces in North America this week. Over 30 000 participants from 82 countries meet in the U.S. annually to familiarise with latest service development trends, cutting-edge technologies and most capable equipment. The event gives a platform for establishing connections and discussion among allies or partners. Among top-ranking attendees this year are Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Gen Mark A. Milley, Secretary of Defence James Mattis, and many other high ranking officials and generals.
"This conference gives us an opportunity not only to familiarise with army novelties worldwide but also to meet with many very important people. We have already met with Director, Strategy, Plans and Policy, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Department of the Army, Maj Gen Christopher P. McPadden. I thanked him for the abundant contribution in strengthening the security in our region and assistance is defence planning. We have addressed more opportunities to strengthen deterrence measures, for example, by having a rotational U.S. unit on the ground in Lithuania," Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Brig Gen Valdemaras Rupšys commented on the meeting.
The meeting with U.S. General also addressed the conditions of training in Lithuania: conditions to train company-sized mechanised or cavalry units in Lithuanian military areas were mentioned, the planned Exercise Defender 2020 that might include deployment of at least a battalion-sized U.S. unit to Lithuania was discussed. Continuation of the regular Lithuanian-U.S. military cooperation to strengthen interoperability was reiterated.
Cooperation between the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the U.S. Pennsylvania Army National Guard spanning a quarter of century was noted as one of the most successful examples of cooperation.
The Annual Meeting & Exposition is organised by AUSA (the Association of United States Army). It is a private non-profit organisation supporting and promoting the U.S. Army, established in 1950. The annual conference and exhibit it organises is the largest event of its in North America and among the largest in the world. It introduces latest trends of army development and technological innovations and provides a platform for bilateral meetings with U.S. and other allies' representatives.
POC: Capt Donatas Suchockis, PAO for the Lithuanian Land Force, donatas.suchockis@mil.lt, +37064045380
Information and photo credits: Lithuanian Land Force
