On March 18 Vice Minister of National Defence Margiris Abukevičius had a meeting with Major General Terrence McKenrick, Deputy Commanding General at V Corps, United States Army, who is on a visit in Lithuania.
Vice Minister and U.S. V Corps Deputy Commanding General discussed the security situation in the region and the U.S.-Lithuanian defence cooperation.
“The United States is Lithuania’s strategic partner in security and defence. U.S. and NATO force presence in the region and Lithuania is the central factor in deterrence and defence,” M. Abukevičius said at the meeting.
Vice Minister also welcomed the new deployment of the division-level headquarters in the region and expressed a hope for a close cooperation on joint planning and exercises. Maj Gen T. McKenrick was reassured about the constant efforts to improve service conditions for the U.S. forces in Lithuania.
“The Host Nation Support package for U.S. forces in Lithuania is currently being developed. We are improving the Host Nation Support conditions laid out in the package, also in hopes of having a persistent rotational battalion-sized U.S. presence in Lithuania,” M. Abukevičius said.
Maj Gen T. McKenrick is planned to visit the U.S. troops deployed to Pabradė after the meeting with Vice Minister.
During the visit to Lithuania the guest will also meet with Chief of the Defence Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Brig Gen Mindaugas Steponavičius, Commander of the Land Force Brig Gen Raimundas Vaikšnoras, commanders of the NATO Force Integration Unit and the NATO enhanced Forward Presence components.
The latest U.S. rotation deployed to Lithuania with heavy equipment in December. The 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, U.S. Army, have been deployed until the summer of this year.
Results of a public opinion poll carried out by request of the Ministry National Defence in December 2020 show that Lithuanian residents have a favourable view of NATO. 87% of respondents are in favour of the Lithuanian membership in NATO, 83% of respondents approve of the allied presence on the Lithuanian soil, and the United States is most often ranked as Lithuania’s central strategic partner.
Photo credits: Alfredas Pliadis/MoD
