On December 5 Chief of Defence of Lithuania Major General and a delegation visited Lithuanian troops serving in the NATO peace support operation in Afghanistan.
"Even though NATO's involvement in Afghanistan will be conducted with significantly reduced forces in the framework of a new operation next year, Lithuania will continue contributing to NATO activities in the country and will deploy up to 100 soldiers. This is more than our interest, this is NATO interest, and a result of a high evaluation of our troops," the Chief of Defence asserted.
According to Major General J. V. Žukas, the active withdrawal of NATO forces and related takedown of infrastructure is felt across Afghanistan. NATO forces have already virtually adapted to the the new organisation of the Resolute Support Mission and are actively preparing to take on the mission aas of the beginning of next year.
"I would like to highlight that the security situation in Afghanistan is getting more tense as NATO forces are reducing. The Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Security Forces fail to withstand the pressure from Taliban fighters by themselves on rather numerous occasions, therefore we witness a certain increase in the numbers of attacks against NATO forces and NGOs operating in the country. Such situation will require not only great performance but also vigilance and professionalism while moving outside their compound," MG J.V.Žukas said.
While in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, the Chief of Defence met with Jonas Daniliauskas, Head of the Lithuanian Special Mission in Afghanistan and members of the Military Police ensuring his protection, the Senior National Representative of Lithuania in Afghanistan, Colonel Algirdas Norkus, and Lithuanian military serving in the operational headquarters in Kabul and Herat, and the National Support Element. MG J. V. Žukas was briefed on the security situation in Afghanistan, the organisation and functional areas of the oncoming NATO training mission Resolute Support, and the activities carried out by Lithuanian servicemembers.
Later the Chief of Defence and his delegation proceeded to the military compound at Kandahar Airfield where they met with representatives of the Aitvaras Lithuanian Special Operations Forces Squadron and the Lithuanian officer serving with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The soldiers presented to the guests security situation in the province, their activities and challenges.
The Lithuanian Chief of Defence presented awards to Lithuanian military who had distinguished themselves while serving in Afghanistan, presented the most recent situation in the Lithuanian Armed Forces, his future vision, and perspectives for the development the Lithuanian Armed Forces, answered questions, and offered best wishes of the upcoming holidays. The Senior Chaplain Major Remigijus Butkevičius called Lithuanian military in Kabul and Kandahar for a collective prayer and celebration of a holly mass.
There are roughly 70 Lithuanians deployed in Afghanistan with the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF). The major part of the Lithuanian contingent in Afghanistan is made up by personnel of the Aitvaras Lithuanian Special Operations Forces Squadron completing reconnaissance tasks and training Special Rapid Response Company of the Afghan National Police in Kandahar.
The currently ongoing NATO ISAF mission in Afghanistan will be closed on 31 December, 2014. With its completion, a new non-combat Resolute Support Mission will be launched to train, mentor and advise the Afghan National Security Forces, ministries, and other authorities. Legal basis for the mission has been provided by a Status of Forces Agreement signed in Kabul on 30 September 2014 by NATO and the President of Afghanistan. Resolute Support Mission will involve roughly 12.000 troops from NATO and partner states.
Photo credits: Captain Mindaugas Neimontas
