“It is an honour for members of NATO to have an Ally like Lithuania and share mutual values and principles,” says Commander NATO Force Integration Unit Lithuania Col Jakob Søgård Larsen who told what the Alliance appreciated Lithuania for most on the 17th NATO membership anniversary.
The NATO Force Integration Unit is a force command and control headquarters which has the main mission to ensure deployment of the NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) and follow-on rapid response elements into the region if a necessity arises. The unit was inaugurated in Vilnius in 2015.
The NFIU Lithuania operates as a mediator for interaction of national capabilities and allied forces deployed in the region. The unit assists exercises and training held jointly with allies and maintains contact with operation NATO headquarters.
Since the inauguration, the NFIU has been under command of officer of the Danish Defence, Col Jacob Sogard Larsen. He says that Lithuania has become a role model for other NATO allies in the recent years.
“I have lived in Lithuania since August 2015 and I must admit I am very impressed with the country. First of all, Lithuania has tripled defence financing since my arrival and that sets an excellent example for other NATO members. Not only the resolve to give 2% of GDP for defence but also the substantive steps and smart decisions that Lithuania takes to take forward its security and deterrence are exemplary. Lithuania has also developed its military capabilities excellently in the recent years and I am very pleased to serve with such a professional team,” Col J. S. Larsen says.
The NATO Force Integration Unit ensures proper readiness to deploy the VJTF to Lithuania expeditiously in case of necessity, the first elements of the force would deploy into the area of conflict within 48 hours. According to Col J. S. Larsen, Lithuania is perfectly prepared to host allied forces.
“We have learned a lot from the Lithuanian Armed Forces already. NATO forces are training in exercises alongside Lithuanian Armed Forces every year – allies feel very welcome here every time because Lithuania is such a great host. We have excellent conditions not only for training in Lithuania but also for expanding our knowledge about this beautiful country and meeting great people.
Moreover, Lithuania has extensive knowledge and understanding about her neighbours, such as Russia and Belarus. That amounts to a huge advantage that adds particularly valuable expertise to the Alliance; it is vital for situation awareness,” Commander NFIU Lithuania says.
Col J. S. Larsen congratulates Lithuania on the 17th anniversary of NATO membership celebrated on March 29 and asserts that Lithuania has earned recognition and appreciation for her exemplary contributions to NATO missions among NATO allies over these years.
“We have taken in plenty of valuable Lithuania’s knowledge over these years. That’s particularly true concerning understanding of defence environment in the region. Another vital aspect is the unceasing contributions from the Lithuanian Armed Forces to NATO missions and operations abroad and demonstration of exceptional resolve and commitment to peace preservation since the very start of the NATO membership in 2004. Lithuanian soldiers have flawless military skills and are lucky to have strong leaders,” he says.
Peacetime structure of the international NFIU personnel includes 40 members. The headquarters is currently manned by 14 allies, including Lithuania.
Col J. S. Larsen will lead the NFIU Lithuania until this summer and then relinquish to fellow Danish Defence officer Col Peter Nielsen. According to Col J. S. Larsen, Lithuania has already become a second home and the time spent here will be always dear to him.
“As a NATO representative who lives and works in Lithuania, I can attest that I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve in this country and I am very proud of it: this is an experience I will never forget,” Col J. S. Larsen.
The NATO Force Integration Unit in Lithuania is one of the eight NATO headquarters the Alliance established across Central and Eastern European allies in response to the changing security environment. Activation of the NFIUs is one of the key elements of NATO response to security challenges coming from the East and the South.
Photo credits: NFIU, Lithuanian MoD.
