On April 18 deployment ceremony took place at the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas Headquarters Battalion (Vilnius) for 10 soldiers assigned to serve in the NATO Operation Resolute Support in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for four months as part of the Deployable Communications and Information Systems Module (DCISM) of the 3rd NATO Signals Battalion and to render communications and information systems support to Resolute Support units. The ceremony was also attended by soldiers' families.
Chief of Staff of the Battalion, acting Commander of the Battalion Major Vaidas Černikas wished the troops best of luck, proper representation of their country, and sharing experience and learning new skills. "Lithuanian soldiers, including your colleagues, are earning only top evaluation in this mission; that obliges you to keep the bar of professionalism high, however, I am convinced you are prepared well anyway, especially because some of you have been deployed to this mission before. I also thank the soldiers' families for the understanding and for comprehension of the importance and specifics of a soldier's service, thank you for being a strong support to a soldier; troops, be attentive to your families and keep the connection constantly," Maj V. Černikas said at the ceremony. Every deployed soldier was presented with a symbolic souvenir.
The multinational Operation Resolute Support was launched in Afghanistan on 1 January 2015 as an extension to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Its key objective is to train, advise and support the Afghan National Security Forces, ministries, and other governmental institutions.
A DCISM of similar composition is deploying to multinational operations in Afghanistan for the fourth time over the past several years, also, DCISM troops have served in three rotations in the NATO air defence mission Active Fence, and one - in the NATO peacekeeping force in Kosovo (KFOR).
The DCISM is the only company-sized unit of the Lithuanian Armed Forces constantly assigned to the NATO forces.
Photo, information credits: Gediminas Headquarters
