November 15, B-52 Stratfortress US long-range strategic bombers and Italian EF2000 Eurofighter aircraft trained air attacks against ground targets: coordinated by the Joint Terminal Air Controllers of the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces and Land Force, the Allied aircraft dropped laser-guided bombs at nearly 6 km altitude and delivered direct fire in Brigadier General Kazys Veverskis Training Area in Kazlų Rūda.
The pre-arranged flight over Lithuania is an element of Exercise Vanguard Merlin organized by the rotational U.S. forces in Europe. The exercise dwelled on a tactical scenario co-developed by the Lithuanian side, team of the 603rd Air Operations Center and strategic bomber crews to rehearse .ground-based targets and protect friendly force in a large-scale conflict environment. The 603rd Air Operations Center is responsible for planning and coordination of air operations throughout the region in order to ensure precision and effectiveness of the missions. Among the participants of the exercise element in Lithuania was a Lithuanian serving with the U.S. Air Force, Lt Col Inga Wuerhes, in charge of operational coordination.
The United States deploys its B-52 strategic bombers to European Allies on a regular and habitual basis as a display of NATO and U.S. readiness to integrate with Allied Host Nations and partners to deter and defend. Joint exercises with Lithuanian Armed Forces JTAC s is an inseparable part of the strategic presence which allows the Allies to hone readiness and operation coordination on a constant basis, while the Lithuanian JTACs get access to advanced technology used in Allied militaries and make their input into the common success of the operation.
Photo credits: Lithuanian Armed Forces
