The international Exercise Saber Junction 2014 is approaching conclusion in Germany. The operation of the Lithuanian-led international brigade has reached the critical phase - allied forces are switching from defensive actions to an assault on hostile forces seeking to free the fictional state of Atropia from aggressors for good. This trains roughly 6 thousand soldiers from 16 states gathered at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (Hohenfels, Germany) of the U.S. Army in Europe (USAREUR) completing wide-spectrum military operations.
On August 8 the joint action of the Lithuanian and other NATO troops was observed by Lieutenant General Frederick Ben Hodges, Commanding General, NATO Allied Land Command, Chief of Defence of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel, Chief of Staff of the Slovenian Armed Forces Brigadier General David Humar, and other high-ranking military representatives of the participating countries. The observers were watching the staff and sub units of the Iron Wolf Brigade in action and took interest in the course of the exercise.
The staff of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade (MIB) Iron Wolf of the Lithuanian Land Force is in command of an international brigade formed for exercise purposes by U.S., Czech and Slovenian battalions and practising completion of offensive, defensive and stabilisation operations. The Grand Lithuanian Duchess Birutė Uhlan Company is attending the exercise incorporated in a U.S. cavalry regiment while one of the battalion's platoons is playing the role of enemy. The exercise involves over 250 soldiers from Lithuania.
The multinationally Exercise Saber Strike 2014 is comprised of two main phases. The first phase on August 24-30 covered operational planning, training to complete separate tactical tasks, and combat preparations. At the active phase which will run till September 10 the Iron Wolf Brigade's staff is conducting a non-stop 24 hours-a-day control of battalions at real time on real terrain with real units deployed on the ground.
The annual exercise Saber Junction in Germany held by the Joint Multinational Readiness Centre, U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR), involves brigade-level staff training and tactical field exercise. The exercise aims at training interoperability in NATO units, coordination of actions, and readiness to complete defensive, offensive, and stabilisation operations. The exercise involves roughly 6 thousand soldiers from 15 countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, the United States, Canada, Croatia, Latvia, Poland, Lithuania, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Sweden.
POC - Assistant to the MIB Iron Wolf Commander Captain Ainaras Jonaitis. Mobile phone no. 00370 614 35 693; email: ainaras.jonaitis@gmail.com
Photo credit: SSG Edikas Ponomariovas
