News

February 27 and 28 Commander of the Lithuanian Air Force Maj Gen Edvardas Mažeikis will pay a visit to the NATO Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in Uedem, Germany.

During the visit Lithuanian Commander will meet with Commander CAOC Lt Gen Dieter Naskrent and his Deputy Brig Gen Marian Jeleniewski. Lithuanian Commander plans discussing with CAOC representatives NATO's Air policing mission in the Baltic States and the Baltic Region Training Events (BRTE) which are also supported by the Combined Air Operations Centre. The nearest BRTE is planned to take place in Lithuania on March 27 and 28.

HMMWV Driver's Course is organised according to the same HMMWV training programme as to Lithuania troops. The course will be two-fold - theoretical part including familiarization with the structure of HMMWV truck, technical exploitation, and work safety, and practical part - driving.

The new shift includes 8 troops from LITHAF Air Base and one representative of Latvian military.

Just like the previous groups ATT-3 will be deployed at Kandahar Airfield and continue training Afghan National Army members to conduct squadron level helicopter operations.

During the visit the guest met with Commander in Chief of the Lithuanian Navy Adm (R) Kęstutis Macijauskas for a discussion over the relevant matters of Lithuania's and Denmark's navies, bilateral cooperation in maritime matters, etc. The guest was briefed on the activity of the Lithuanian Navy and maritime rescue coordination centers.

Adm (R) Finn Hansen was also visited the Naval Flotilla where he observed Standart Flex 300 class patrol ships and Hunt class mine countermeasures ships and related equipment.

According to the Commander of the ANA Training Team Lt Col Ričardas Stakelis, the courses are important and useful not only to the ANA officers but Lithuanian soldiers as well. ANA officers also shared their experience and knowledge, specific information about customs and culture of local residents that is vital for handling emergency situations fluently.

During the visit the guest will meet with Commander in Chief of the Lithuanian Navy Adm (R) Kęstutis Macijauskas for a discussion over the relevant matters of Lithuania's and Denmark's navies, bilateral cooperation in maritime matters, etc.

The guest was briefed on the activity of the Lithuanian Navy, Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers, he was invited to visit the Naval Flotilla.

Leadership of the Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania and the Lithuanian Armed Forces will discuss with the Norwegian CHOD the Baltic-Nordic cooperation initiatives and priorities, bilateral military cooperation between Lithuania and Norway, contribution of the countries to multinational military capabilities, and opportunities of cooperation in combat training and preparation.

In the meetings Lithuanian, Danish, Estonian, Latvian, Norwegian, Finnish and Swedish CHODs will discuss security situation in the Baltic Sea and Arctic region, future international military training events, multinational operations, and points of cooperation in seeking more efficient exploitation of resources.

Such meetings take place annually in the member states on a rotational basis. Last year the meeting was hosted by Estonia. The last time the meeting took place in Lithuania was in January 2007.

Together with 30 Lithuanian military there are participants from the staff of the Danish Division and the staffs of the Estonian, Latvian and Danish brigades affiliated to the Danish Division.

During the opening of the conference Lithuanian Chief of Defence Lt Gen A. Pocius said that successful operation in the mission area requires interoperability with the allies, unified thinking and work which we will achieve through aligned training programmes. "The conference is intended to facilitate the synchronization of training of member countries and cultivation of a unified approach to military training", said the Chief of Defence of Lithuania.