April 1, active phase of certification exercise of the 13th rotation of the Lithuanian-led Chaghcharan Provincial Reconstruction Team „PRT-13 Challenge" concluded in Kazlų Rūda Training Area (Marijampolės Distr.) and surrounding area. PRT-13 were certified for the multinational ISAF mission.
Over 300 troops were involved in the training, Ukrainian personnel to be deployed to Ghor province of Afghanistan trained together with the Lithuanian-led PRT-13.
The exercise was organised by the Motorised Infantry Brigade „Iron Wolf" and led by Col Vilmantas Tamošaitis. The evaluators team of the exercise was led by the Chief of Operations of the Land Force Headquarters Lt Col Raimundas Vaikšnoras.
During the final stage of the half-year predeployment training readiness of PRT-13 to conduct operation area's tasks was evaluated: movement of units on theatre, patrolling, evacuation of the injured, coordination of work with governmental organisations and NGOs and local administration, etc.
During the exercise military personnel patrolled areas of Marijampolė and Alytus districts of size similar to those in operation area, and conducted tasks in a civilian environment - towns and villages similar in size to those in Ghor.
Some tasks of predeployment exercise are implemented in towns and villages. Such a method helps creating conditions as close to real as possible. Local population were not involved in the training situations - Afghan locals were played by troops.
A great part of organisers, observers and evaluators of the exercise have already conducted duty in the Lithuanian-led PRT in Afghanistan and have experience and skills necessary to ensure that troops would undergo conditions as close to those in the operation area in Afghanistan as possible.
A camp similar to the Lithuanian-led PRT base in Chaghcharan was installed in Kazlų Rūda Training Area. During the exercise real-life logistic support was ensured by the Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytenis General Support Logistic Battalion.
Conditions of the predeployment training are drawn as close to the situation in the operation area in Afghanistanin as similar as possible. Training situations are formulated on the basis of experience of Lithuania's military personnel in multinational operations.
PRT-13 is formed on the basis of King Mindaugas Mechanised Infantry Battalion of the Motorised Infantry Brigade „Iron Wolf". The new rotation is foreseen to deploy this May.
Servicemembers of King Mindaugas Battalion will ensure security in Ghor province for a second time. The Battalion provided personnel for the 6th shift of Chaghcharan PRT (deployed in 2007-2008) and for guard platoon of Chaghcharan PRT-1.
The Lithuanian-led Province Reconstruction Team in Ghor is a joint civilian-military mission, a part of NATO's International Security Assistance Force, which was launched in Ghor in summer of 2005. The main task of the mission is to provide assistance for the Government of Afghanistan to expand authority in the province, ensure security and provide favourable conditions for the reconstruction of province.
Currently the 12th shift of the Lithuanian-led PRT served in the ISAF mission, basis of the rotation is provided by the Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion (Rukla, Jonava Distr.). The Battalion's personnel take part in the mission in Afghanistan for a second time.
Together with Lithuanian military and civilian personnel the following countries contribute representatives to the Lithuanian-led PRT: Denmark, Georgia, Japan, US, Poland, Finland, and Ukraine.
For more information contact PIO of „PRT-13 Challenge" Capt Skomantas Povilionis, mob 00370 61435693.
Picture by Alfredas Pliadis.
