Tuesday, June 17, command post of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf is in full operational capacity. Today is the third day of the active phase of the multinational Exercise Saber Strike 2014.
It is not surprising that the commotion at the command post of the Iron Wolf never seizes: operational control of a defensive is executed in parallel with operational control of an offensive. Although there is no shortage of challenges and the flow of information is enormous, staff officers are not showing tension on their faces - everyone is perfectly aware of their functions while massive experience from numerous exercises allow making quick and right decisions. However, this training is no ordinary event - briefings at the command post are conducted in English and there is at least one representatives of a NATO ally in each section of the command post.
"Planning of staff work in the Lithuanian Armed Forces is done basically according to the same principles, therefore our cooperation is with Lithuanians rather easy," Captain Rachael Andersen, officer with the British Royal Armed Forces, shared her impressions about work at the brigade's command post.
The Lithuanian Armed Forces have delegated three officers of the King Mindaugas Hussar Battalion to the staffs of two multinational battalions. The Estonia-led battalion among other units includes a company from Lithuania (Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Battalion) with an incorporated combat engineer platoon from Juozas Vitkus Engineer Battalion and a Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) from the General R.Giedraitis Artillery Battalion.
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The active phase of the multinational Exercise Saber Strike 2014 is running in Latvia at the moment. The tactical field exercise and brigade-level command post exercise is aimed at training interoperability in allied units, coordination of action and preparation to execute offensive and defensive operations.
Photo credit MSG Lina Ambroževičiūtė
