"The number of soldiers training in Lithuania is an excellent example of talks and planning translated into action. Exercise Saber Strike 2016 will give invaluable professional experience to our soldiers while increasing their ability to act in the territory of their homeland, both in concert with NATO allies and on their own. It is a vital element of being ready for homeland defence," Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Major General Almantas Leika said to the media.
On May 27 through June 23 U.S. Army Europe organises the annual multinational Exercise Saber Strike in the Baltic States. The exercise enhances interoperability of the participating nations in wide spectrum military operations. The 6th iteration of Exercise Saber Strike will train roughly 10 thousand troops from 13 NATO allies and partners: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
The part of Exercise Saber Strike 2016 held in Lithuania is an international field training exercise (FTX) named Iron Wolf 2016 that will be running concurrently in two locations - Gaižiūnai Training Area (Jonava distr.) and General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area (Švenčionys district). Lithuania will host over 5 thousand soldiers from 6 NATO allies, Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Poland, and the U.S., training alongside Lithuanian forces during the exercise.
Exercise Saber Strike 2016 kicked off on May 27 with Dragoon Ride II, a redeployment training of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army. Roughly 1 thousand U.S. soldiers and 400 tactical vehicles will take two routes to redeploy from Germany to Estonia stopping in the Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia along the way. The U.S. troops are planned to make stops in cities and towns to present static displays of their capabilities, i.e. vehicles, weaponry and gear, to local communities.
More info about Saber Strike 2016
For the Media:
Saber Strike 2016 POC: PAO for the Lithuanian Land Force Capt Donatas Suchockis, 00370 5 278 5094, 00 370 640 45380.
Iron Wolf 2016 POC: Capt Paulius Babilas, 00370 706 83 607, 00370 682 64331.
POC for additional information regarding the role of the NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU) Lithuania during Dragoon Ride II: PAO NFIU Lithuania Major Miguel Simoes, angelo.simoes@ltu.nfiu.nato.int , 00370 706 81812.
Media opportunities (separate media releases will also be published):
• June 4 Arrival of German soldiers and equipment with the 295th Artillery Battalion to Šeštokai Rail Station (6 PzH2000 self-propelled artillery pieces, M113 armoured vehicles, and other equipment).
• June 5 Arrival of soldiers and equipment of the Pennsylvania National Guard at Vilnius International Airport by C17 strategic cargo aircraft (4 Stryker armoured vehicles and 63 soldiers). The second plane lands at 8.50 a.m.
• June 5 Dragoon Ride II: static display of weaponry and equipment in Vilkaviškis (near the Cultural Centre, 10.00 a.m.-1.00 p.m.), Panevėžys (near Babilonas shopping mall, 2.00-5.00 p.m.). Route of the convoy: Kalvarija - Marijampolė - Kaunas - Kėdainiai - Panevėžys.
• June 6 Exercise opening ceremony, General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area, Pabradė.
• June 8 Arrival of Danish soldiers and military vehicles at Gaižiūnai Training Area (Jonava district) (96 military vehicles, including Leopard A5 tanks, M113 armoured vehicles, and other equipment).
• June 8 Arrival of Denmark's wheeled materiel at Klaipėda Seaport (roughly 20 Piranha IFVs, other equipment).
• June 12 Dragoon Ride II: static display of weaponry and equipment in Kėdainiai (Old Market Square noon-3.00 p.m.), Biržai (J. Janonis Square 2.00-5.00 p.m.), and in Kupiškis (in a former military compound - noon-3.00 p.m.) Route of the convoy: Kalvarija - Marijampolė - Kaunas - Kėdainiai - Panevėžys.
• June 12 Exercise opening ceremony, Rukla.
• June 15 400 soldiers with 173rd Airborne Brigade and roughly 40 soldiers with the Lithuanian Armed Forces will carry out airborne landing and airport seizure operation.
• June 16 Exercise closing ceremony/DV Day, General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area, Pabradė. President of the Republic of Lithuania HE Dalia Grybauskaitė is expected to attend.
• June 21 Exercise closing ceremony, Rukla.
POC: PAO for the Lithuanian Land Force Capt Donatas Suchockis
00370 5 278 5091, 00370 640 45380, e-mail: donatas.suchockis@mil.lt
Credits: Giedrė Maksimovicz (MoD)
Video by Sergeant Specialist 1st Class Lukas Kalvaitis
