On 28 September-1 October military engineers of Juozas Vitkus Engineer Battalion of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and soldiers of TM Castle Company of the rotational U.S. forces in Lithuania take part in Best Sapper Competition, a challenging exercise demanding a lot of endurance and physical fitness.
Eight teams formed by Lithuanian and U.S. troops tests their skills at Gaižiūnai Training Area in Rukla: take part in a loaded march, cross water obstacles, set up and detonate constructed obstacles, recover casualties, deliver live fire from buildings, and perform many other tasks that require endurance and professionalism.
Each team includes four members: four of them are mixed (two Lithuanians and two Americans), and four are national.
"This exercise is a truly a challenge even for well-trained soldiers because it involves a lot of physical activity and completion of tasks throughout its duration. There is no time to catch one's breath or have a decent rest, soldiers need to show maximum concentration and best results," Sgt 1st Class Karlmark Yapez, one of the organisers, said.
Best Sapper Competition is the culmination of the cooperation between Lithuanian and U.S. military engineers that has been taking place in Lithuania since August. On 3 October the U.S. engineers will rotate back to their permanent base in Italy.
"I will miss Lithuania because we did a really good training and have completed many tasks here, including such as fixing the drop-zone at Gaižiūnai Training Area, and participation in Exercise Engineer Thunder 2015 with Lithuanians. I look forward to returning to Lithuania and continuing our cooperation successfully in the future," commander of TM Castle Company Captain Mat Westcot said.
Photo credits: Capt Irmantas Genevičius and 2nd Lt Alex Cansler.
