Media representatives are invited to attend redeployment ceremony of the U.S. cavalry battalion rotation that had been in Lithuania to ensure deterrence and conduct joint training, the event will take place on June 12, Friday, at the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area (Pabradė subregional municipality, Švenčionys region).
The U.S. soldiers were deployed in Lithuania in October 2019 as part of the U.S. Army Operation Atlantic Resolve in the eastern part of the Alliance. It is a demonstration of the U.S. collective defence commitment to NATO allies in ensuring security after the Russian aggression in Ukraine. U.S. Army soldiers have been rotating into the Baltic States and Eastern Europe since spring 2014.
The ceremony will be conducted in the presence of Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis , Ambassador of the United States to Lithuania HE Robert S. Gilchrist, Commander of the U.S. battalion Lt Col Stephen Johnson, and Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Brig Gen Raimundas Vaikšnoras.
The 1st Battalion, 9th U.S. Cavalry Regiment (1-9th Cav), 1st Cavalry Division, U.S. Army, originally based at Fort Hood in Texas, was deployed and training in Lithuania from October 2019 to summer of this year. The U.S. troops were deployed in Lithuania with heavy equipment – approx. 30 Abrams tanks, over 20 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, other vehicles. In its turn, Lithuania ensured full Host Nation Support – accommodation, logistical support, access to training area infrastructure.
The U.S. troops were conducting combat training events and exercises of medium scale, shared professional expertise with Lithuanian colleagues while in Lithuania. The U.S. soldiers were also engaged outside of their base in Lithuania and direct tasks: they helped setting up a gym at General Povilas Plechavičius Cadet Lyceum School and gladly attended community events a number of times.
When the new railhead of Pabradė-Pažeimenė railway line of national importance was built in late May, it was tested out by the first NATO allies – the outgoing U.S. rotation. The new transportation capability improved conditions for deploying military vehicles and equipment of NATO allies to the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area of the Lithuanian Armed Forces near Pabradė.
Lithuania is investing into infrastructure development in the Lithuanian Armed Forces training area in Pabradė and elsewhere, and is improving other Host Nation Support elements in order to provide conditions for efficient training, combat readiness, deterrence ensured by allies deployed in Lithuania. U.S. soldiers, as well as Lithuanians and troops of other allies, are not only using the military training infrastructure but also help to upgrade it. The U.S. invested 4.1 million U.S. dollars in 2017–2019 into the Pabradė training area alone.
For the Media
Event programme
1000 – Brief introduction of the U.S. battalion and ceremony
1010– Address by Commander of the U.S. battalion Lt Col Stephen Johnson
1015 – Address by Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis
1030– End of ceremony, media opportunity by Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis , Ambassador of the United States to Lithuania HE Robert S. Gilchrist, Commander of the U.S. battalion Lt Col Stephen Johnson.
Media representatives are invited to register at [email protected] (please give your full name, media organisation, contacts) until Thursday, June 11, 1400, to attend the event on June 12. POC for registration and arrival at the event site: SSgt Gintaras Masiulis, +370 643 77977.
Freelance reporters and foreign media representatives will need accreditation issued by the MoD Strategic Communication and Public Relations Department, e-mail: [email protected].
Only registered and MoD accredited media will be allowed to attend.
Media representatives should arrive at the Gen S.Žukauskas Training Area until 0930.
Photo credit: MoD archive
