On November 25 leadership of the Ministry of National Defence and the Lithuanian Armed Forces paid tribute to the rotation of the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces after service in the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. The 33rd SOF Squadron had been training, advising and assisting a Special Police Unit in Afghanistan alongside our NATO allies for six months.
The soldiers were congratulated at the event by Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis, Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff Captain (Navy) Renius Pleškys, Sergeant Major of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Sgt Maj Remigijus Katinas and representatives of other units upon successful the completion of mission.
"Lithuanian special operations soldiers were able to assess the level of readiness of Afghan colleagues when completing combat operations together, at the same time enabling local partners with NATO capabilities - firepower, intelligence, medical evacuation, etc. Immediate and sincere communication, mutual respect and trust were key to a successful work with the Afghans. Our soldiers managed the arising challenges during their rotation excellently and ensured proper representation of the Lithuanian Armed Forces thanks to their professionalism and experience," commander of the rotation said.
The objective of the SOF troops in the Resolute Support Mission is to enable the Afghan Security Forces to operate independently and to further implementation of their tasks and objectives concerning neutralisation of threats to Afghanistan through immediate cooperation.
Lithuanian SOF personnel have been taking part in international operations in Afghanistan alongside NATO allies since 2002. The involvement and assistance in fighting threats of terrorism of the Lithuanian SOF updated in the beginning of 2018 are vital for the implementation of international commitments. International deployments give real-life experience and practice in non-conventional conflict, honing interoperability and procedures with coalition partners in strengthening the collective security of NATO allies and the state of Lithuania.
Information credits: Lithuanian Armed Forces
Photo credits: SOF archive
