Gen. David H. Petraeus, Commanding General of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan sent a letter to the Chief of Defence of Lithuania Gen. Maj. Arvydas Pocius offering thanks for Lithuania's efforts and determination to contribute to the NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan (NTM-A) by sending MI-17 trainers. .
Lithuanian-led multinational Air Mentor Team which was deployed to Afghanistan on February 8 has already begun its activity of training members of Afghan National Army (ANA) to conduct squadron-level helicopter operations. At Kandahar Airport in southern Afghanistan Lithuanian and Latvian military were joined by specialists from Belgium and Ukraine's representatives are yet to come.
According to the ISAF Commanding General Lithuania's leadership in the mission in one of the critical provinces of Afghanistan (Kandahar) will also bring great benefit in training and helicopter pilots for Afghan Air Force.
„Lithuania can take great pride in supporting the continued development of a strong, capable, and sustainable Afghan Air Force," says Gen. D. Petraeus in the letter.
In the letter for the Lithuanian Chief of Defence NATO ISAF Commanding General also thanks for the activities developed by the Lithuanian-led Chaghcharan PRT. „The PRT is doing a great job partnering with local Afghan officials to improve governance and increase development in the area," the letter says.
Commander of NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell also thanked Lithuania for instituting and leading an Air Mentor Team (AMT). „There are few NATO nations that can provide Mi-17 pilots with the skills Afghanistan needs. Lithuania's contribution to ISAF, both with your PRT and your Mi-17 trainers, is truly focused on building strong and sustainable Afghan institutions," said Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell to the Head of the Lithuanian Special Mission in Afghanistan Valteris Baliukonis.
Lithuania actively contributes to the training of Afghan National Security Forces as a part of transition of responsibility for Afghan people and provincial development to administration of Ghor. Lithuania maintains two training units in Afghanistan - Air Mentor Team in Kandahar, and Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (POMLT) for training Afghan policemen since last year. Moreover, Lithuanian military personnel in southern Afghanistan not only conduct high intensity combat tasks but also train local security and police forces.
Conditions for withdrawing coalition forces from Afghanistan will be recognised sufficient as soon as national security forces are able to ensure security of the country and its citizens on their own. It is expected that by March a list of first provinces will be announced where gradual transfer of responsibility to local security forces will begin. That is the ain reason why NATO and the international community intensifies support to training and supplying Afghan National Security Forces.
