Over 30 soldiers with the Lithuanian Air Defence Battalion returned home from their first international aground based air defence exercise Tobruq Legacy 2015. Lithuanian troops trained joint operations, live-fire shooting and other air defence procedures, as well as fired their first live night shot during the two-week training with nearly 500 soldiers from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and U.S.
Incorporated into the Hungarian Air Defence Battery for the duration of the exercise, the Lithuanian contingent practised Article 5 air defence operations, applying standard NATO procedures and delivered live fire with Hungarian colleagues. The Hungarian Air Defence Battery's Communications Section attached to the Lithuanian contingent for the exercise provided its commander with air picture of the entire area of operation.
Radar operators trained detecting targets under radio jamming, however, that caused no difficulty whatsoever to the Lithuanian Giraffe MkIV and surprised participants of the exercise queued up for checking out the radar.
Commander of the Lithuanian air defence contingent Lieutenant Žygimantas Utkus was excellent at completing air defence tasks so commander of the Hungarian Air Defence Battery entrusted him with controlling live fire of the whole battery for two days. Outstanding characteristics of the Lithuanian Giraffe MkIV radar also contributed to such a decision being made.
"I was able to see that we are using the same procedures as other NATO countries. Officers from other countries I had the privilege of working with on a daily basis have shared a lot of experience with me. Through joint work we were able to carry out and control joint air defence operations without marked difficulty. The exercise also gave an opportunity to assess technical capability and tactics of other NATO nations which has given me priceless experience in air defence," commander of the Lithuanian air defence contingent Lieutenant Ž. Utkus said.
The exercise focused on tactical live fire. The Lithuanian participants fired 5 Mk1 missiles with their upgraded RBS70 air defence missile systems destroying target every time. The Lithuanian contingent also fired their first live shot at night using the RBS70 BORC thermo-vision device. The historical shot was made from the IV generation RBS70 by Private 1st Class Donatas Molnikas destroying an imitation helicopter hovering at a 2.2 km altitude.
"I could hardly have fired a precise shot without having practised on the 3rd generation RBS70 training system. Therefore a proper training of the aimer was a major focus in preparation for the live fire part. "I will hit it!" was the only thought on my mind when I was locking the target. I rejoiced immediately upon seeing the missile reaching its destination and hearing my colleagues applaude," Pte 1st Class D. Molnikas shared his impressions.
Soldiers from other participating NATO countries praised our soldiers' professionalism and dedication to air defence. Despite the smaller air defence capability, military personnel of the Battalion managed to prove that in terms of tactics they are as ready as other NATO allies. The best participants of each nation were recognised during the closing ceremony. Pte 1st Class D. Molnikas was awarded with a Czech Special Forces' knife while the commander of the Air Defence Battalion was given the combat readiness certificate of international air defence units on Lithuania's behalf. Other soldiers will be awarded for distinguished performance at the exercise in their home bases.
As soon as the Lithuanian contingent returned to their home base the soldiers began preparing for next Tobruq Legacy in 2016. The exercise is planned to take place in Slovakia with more participants (Bulgaria, Latvia, Poland and other countries).
Photo credits: Air Defence Battalion, Zord Gabor and Benedek Levente
Live fire at night: : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_zu8BJiaus
