KABUL, Afghanistan - NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan welcomed Latvia and Lithuania to the ranks of troop contributing trainer nations, now totaling 32 nations, in a flag ceremony at NTM-A Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, Feb. 12.
NTM-A Cmdr. Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV introduced Valteris Baliukonis, Lithuanian ambassador to Afghanistan and head of the Lithuanian mission in Afghanistan, and Latvian Capt. Didzis Veidenbaums, the senior ranking Latvian officer in Kabul, to guests and officials.
“On behalf of NTM-A, allow me to welcome you all here today – a very special day for us in this command as we welcome the 31st and 32nd contributing nations to our organization,” Caldwell said. “Today we raise these flags for two reasons. First – to officially welcome Lithuania and Latvia to our team. And second – to recognize the crucial contribution both nations have made.”
Baliukonis and Viedenbaums addressed the crowd after the playing of the border-sharing Baltic states’ national anthems.
“I am proud that we, both Lithuanians and Latvians, as cousins to each other, can join NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan,” said Baliukonis. “This is the biggest mission in the world, I believe. Not only of NATO but of other partners – it is worldwide. Truly we are proud.”
“It’s an honor and privilege for me to be here in Kabul to represent the Latvian National Armed Forces for this significant event,” Viedenbaums declared. “This flag ceremony is a very important event in Latvian military history. It is the first time our airmen and soldiers, together with our Lithuanian colleagues, deployed to Afghanistan as one team.”
Latvia and Lithuania will combine efforts to lead a new aviation mentor team in Kandahar. The trainers from these two nations – along with Belgium, which is already a part of the Air Mentor Team – will bring a very specific technical skill set to training the Mi-17 Rotary Wing there.
“These two countries will make a very significant impact, especially in Kandahar,” explained Caldwell. “The Afghan air force has five Mi-17 helicopters operating there. We will help them continue to grow and professionalize their air force so that by 2014 they can take the lead. That element is going to develop faster and much more professionally because of the contributions these two nations are making for Afghanistan.”
Caldwell expressed his gratitude to the Latvian and Lithuanian armed forces and the mission they have chosen to accept.
“For ISAF first, and specifically for NATO Training Mission - this is enormous.” Caldwell said. “This means that today there are 32 different nations across the world who decided they’re going to commit resources inside Afghanistan to train the Afghan National Security Force – the army, police and the air force. This international effort we have here has just been further expanded, and we’re greatly appreciative of the contributions these two nations have made.”
| Date Taken: |
02.12.2011 |
| Date Posted: |
02.13.2011 04:08 |
| Story ID: |
65351 |
| Location: |
KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: |
54 |
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