On April 7 fusiliers of the Portuguese Marine Corps lined up in a formation and took part in unveiling of Camp Vakaris at the General Povilas Plechavičius Training Area in Kairiai marking the beginning of the 9th rotation of the Portuguese Contingent in Lithuania. The rotation will be coordinated by the Lithuanian Nay in a switch of responsibility previously held by the Lithuanian Great Hetman Jonas Karolis Chodkevičius Infantry Brigade Griffin.
The fusiliers were welcomed by Commander Lithuanian Navy Capt (Navy) Tadas Jablonskis who underscored in his address the significant role of the Portuguese fusilier deployments for joint training with the Lithuanian maritime capabilities and other Lithuanian Armed Forces units in western Lithuania in the growing strength of the Lithuanian Navy. He also noted that the partnership helped kickstart development of national capabilities: thee establishment of the General Kazimieras Nestoras Sapiega Fusilier Battalion.
Commander of the approx. 120-strong Portuguese Fusilier Contingent Cdr Filipe da Rocha Rei thanked representatives of the Lithuanian Armed Forces for the professionalism and smooth support in the early stage of the deployment. He noted that the annual rotation to Lithuania helped the Portuguese military develop combat skills in a different climate and geography. Moreover, joint training with Lithuanian colleagues helped strengthen mutual interoperability, trust and cooperation, which is vital for effective and fast decision-making when a shifting situation requires.
The rotation strengthens Allied collaboration, improves force readiness and conduct joint military training with Lithuanian Armed Forces units. The deployed allied units will run joint training with Lithuanian and Allied colleagues in support of the agreed NATO measures of deterrence strengthening regional security. The Portuguese fusiliers of the 9th rotation will be deployed in Lithuania until November.
The Lithuanian Navy is responsible for planning, interaction and Host Nation Support arrangement for the 9th Portuguese fusilier rotation. All activity is carried out in line with the valid international agreements and host Nation Support principles, thus ensuring smooth integration with Allied forces and joint action.
Portugal has been a part of NATO’s Assurance Measures since 2015 consistently contributing to regional security in the Baltic states. Initiated after the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, the Assurance measures entail deployment and readiness cycle of Allied forces in NATO’s eastern flank. Besides the rotational capability, the Portuguese Armed Forces are also contributing to the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states on a regular basis thus demonstrating steadfast commitment to collective defence.
Info credit: Lithuanian Navy
Photo credit: PO1 Audrius Vitkauskas
