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RUKLA, Lithuania – Lithuanian Armed Forces held an opening ceremony Tuesday for U.S., Lithuanian, Danish and Polish forces to observe the beginning of Saber Strike 2014 in Lithuania.
Paratroopers from the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, along with soldiers from the 56th Stryker Brigade, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, represented the United States for the portion of the NATO training exercise occurring in Lithuania.
“It’s very interesting that we’re given the opportunity to train here,” said Maj. Anthony Costello, commander of troops from the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Lithuania. “I’m glad; I know our troops have been glad.”
Paratroopers with the 173rd will be given the opportunity to train in both offensive and defensive fighting positions during the exercise, as well as, conduct airborne operations, including seizing an airfield with their own forces.
“I feel honored to be part of Saber Strike,” said Pvt. Bryan Gaffer, supply clerk with the 173rd. “I earned my Lithuanian jump wings during my first jump with this unit, and that’s not common.”
Saber Strike is a long-standing, multilateral, multifaceted, U.S Army Europe-led security cooperation exercise primarily focused on the three Baltic States. The exercise spans multiple locations in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia and involves approximately 4,500 personnel from 10 countries.
This year’s exercise includes participation from: the U.S., Canada; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; Latvia; Lithuania; Norway; Poland and United Kingdom. This is the first year Denmark and Canada have participated in the exercise.
The exercise trains participants on command and control and interoperability with regional partners. It is comprised of a brigade-level command post exercise and computer-assisted exercise occurring at various sites in Lithuania and Estonia, including locations near Tartu, Vilnius, Pabrade, Amari and Tapa, as well as company-level field and situational training exercises taking place at the Adazi Training Area, Latvi
Lt. Gen. Arvydas Pocius, commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, welcomed each NATO country and thanked them for their support of the exercise.
“Eastern Europe now is with new challenges,” said Pocius. “Our NATO force is trying to demonstrate new power, but today being all together as the members of NATO, as members of European Union, I can be frank, I am really happy … all together we are strong.”
While Lithuanians host more than 2,000 forces from nine different NATO countries, the focus remains on working together throughout the exercise.
“The exercise is to train together and to ensure that we achieve interoperability in conducting military operations,” said Maj. Gen. Almantas Leika, commander of the Lithuanian Land Forces. “We are building and developing trust and confidence amongst us, amongst our soldiers, commanders and units.”
| Date Taken: | 06.12.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.14.2014 08:42 |
| Story ID: | 133112 |
| Location: | LT |
| Web Views: | 153 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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