On May 17-23 the Lithuanian Land Forces and the U.S. Army conducted Exercise Stork and Eagle in Šiauliai to maintain individual and collective skills of independent and effective operation and servicing of the HIMARS High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.
“We are conducting this joint training to keep our troops updated in a line with the most recent NATO standards. The opportunity to train with the Allies is not just building and strengthening of practical skills but also a chance to deepen interoperability and exchange experience,” said Maj Justinas Čekanauskas, Commander of the Rocket Artillery Battery of the Lithuanian Land Force.
The over a week-length exercise comprised theory and practice of fire control, maintenance, ammunition specialist and HIMARS operator training. The theoretical brought into line the troops’ level of practical and theoretical training while the HIMARS with supporting equipment and transport of the U.S. 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment were brought from Germany. Lithuanian and American troops were running practical HIMARS maintenance and trials, fire tasks, HIMARS truck-driving during the day and at night, missile reloading and preparation for discharge. Live fire at targets over the Baltic Sea s planned to take place in June.
Troops of the Rocket Artillery Battery work closely with units of the U.S. 41st Field Artillery Brigade, V Corps, and constantly exercise with NATO Allied and Partner personnel in Lithuania and abroad to prepare to smoothly integrate the HIMARS capability in the Lithuanian Land Force. Lithuania has contracted to purchase 8 launchers with live and blank ammunition including guided missile sets of different types and combat characteristics, including the ATACMS capable of 300 km effective range. It is a joint procurement completed among the Baltic states.
Photo credits: Lithuanian Armed Forces
