History

On 19 February 1999 contemporary minister of the National Defence Česlovas Stankevičius issued order on manning table of the Field (Land) Forces Headquarters. Lithuanian Armed Forces aiming to become a full member of defence allies has intensively implemented military capabilities reform, which was completely in accord with NATO requirements. The expanding extent of the international operations required more thorough consideration, finances and human resources.
According to the decree of the President of the Republic of Lithuania on 13 August 2001 Colonel Valdas Tutkus was appointed as a commander of the Field (Land) forces.
Statistic Department of the Lithuanian Republic on 11 October 2001, has registered Field (Land) Forces Command of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Therefore October 11th is the foundation date of the Field (Land) Forces command.
On 19 November 2001, the Minister of the National Defense by order has approved the Field (Land) Forces insignia.
At the end of 2002 Field (Land) Forces headquarters has moved to bigger premises.
On 18 June 2004 contemporary Commander of the Field (Land) Forces Brigadier General Valdas Tutkus was handed the Flag of the Field (Land) Forces.
  

                                   The consecration of the Field (Land) Forces Flag 
                                                     Picture by E. Žygaitis

On 30 June 2004 the incoming Commander Brigadier General Arvydas Pocius has replaced the outgoing commander Brigadier general Valdas Tutkus. Brigadier General Valdas Tutkus was appointed as a Chief of Defence of Lithuania.

               Presenting of the Field (land) Forces Flag to Brigadier General Arvydas Pocius 
                                                 Picture by E. Žygaitis

In September 2005 during the special affirmation exercise the NATO Component Command Land Headquarters evaluated the Field (Land) Forces headquarters ability to prepare, train and sustain units in NATO - led operations. Later Field (Land) Forces headquarters coordinated affirmation exercise at Grand Duke Algirdas mechanized infantry battalion (Rukla district) where NATO officers observed and made assessment of the exercise.
In 2003, 2005 and 2007 Field (Land) Forces headquarters planned and organized the biggest international exercises held in Lithuania "Amber Hope".
In 2008 Field (Land) Forces command was entitled as Land Forces command.
On 23 April 2008 Brigadier General Jonas Vytautas Žukas was appointed as a commander of the Land Forces. (He has been a commander ad interim since 26 September 2006).

             Brigadier general Jonas Vytautas Žukas is presented a flag of the Land Forces

                                                       Pictures by A.Pliadis

Until the middle of 2008 Land Forces command ensured proper participation of the Lithuanian troops in international operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina (operations "Joint Guard", "Joint Force", "Althea") in Kosovo (operation "Joint Guardian"), in Afghanistan (operation "Enduring Freedom") and in Iraqi (operation "Iraqi Freedom").

                                           Lithuanian troops in operation in Afghanistan
                                                             Picture by K. Zikaras

In 2009 were formed Domestic Support Forces, which nucleus is formed from Land Forces units.

In the first half-year of 2010, the trilateral Baltic Battalion (BALTBAT), manned by Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia troops conducted their duty in the Land component of 14 rotation of the NATO Response Force (NRF-14). The trilateral Baltic Battalion for duty in NRF-14 was established in September 2007, and was led by Lithuania. Troops were not activated during the duty period.

Also in the first half-year of 2010 Lithuanian troops conducted a six-month standby in the European Union rapid reaction battle group (EUBG), led by Poland. Lithuania dedicated one motorized infantry company with supply unit, CIMIC, military police section and officers attached to international HQ of EUBG - totally about 150 soldiers. Troops were not activated during the duty period.

                               Preparation for the stand-by in European Union Battle Group

                                       Pictures by G. Mockevičius and D. Dzimidas

From July 2010 the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) platoon of Land Forces Juozas Vitkus Engineer Battalion started a six-month duty in the 15 rotation of the NATO Response Force (NRF-15). The platoon will operate as a part of Polish EOD company in case of NRF-15 activation.