May 16, multinational filed training exercise Iron Wolf 2025-I culminated in a combined Lithuania’s and NATO Allies’ operation, while an operation conducted by the United States 173rd Airborne Brigade marked the transition to Exercise Swift Response 2025. The transition to Exercise Griffin Lightning 2025 organized by the Multinational Corps Northeast was observed by Commander of the Multinational Corps Northeast Lt Gen Dariusz Paryla, Ambassador of the United States in Lithuania Kara McDonalds, Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė, Commander of the 1st Division Gen Aurelijus Alasauskas and more representatives of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, foreign detachments and militaries.
“It is important to note that this exercise is a practical implementation of the regional defence plans agreed to at the NATO Summit in Vilnius. We are certifying readiness, chains of command and interaction with our Allies. It is practical demonstration of preparations for actions in support of collective defence and of synchronization of our national defence plan with the NATO plans. I thanked the troops for their dedication and the Allied troops for their service and the spirit of unity they bring. We are stronger together and this day is a testament to that,” said Minister of National Defence D. Šakalienė.
Two weeks of training has culminated in a joint operation featuring members of the Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf and the Multinational Corps Northeast, maintaining the initiative after successful active defence tasks, execute an assault causing the Red Force to withdraw. Ensuring protection of the Gaižiūnai Training Area runway according to the exercise scenario, Lithuania and Allied troops enabled air insertion of 1700 servicemembers with military equipment of the U.S. 173rd Airborne Brigade, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Italy.
“There is nothing more vital in deterrence than the level of readiness on display in field training exercises. It is worthwhile to mention the Multinational Corps Northeast joining in the stage of synchronization with a force dedicated for the region. These capabilities partner enabling the 1st Lithuanian Brigade, Iron Wolf or Griffin Brigades to execute the plans concerning defence of Lithuania,” Commander of the 1st Division Brig Gen A. Alasauskas summarized the exercise.
The airdrop operation kicked off Exercise Swift Response 2025 which will run till May 23 in the Pabradė Training Area and other sites in Norway, Latvia, Sweden and Finland. The exercise showcases multinational capabilities in the Baltic Sea region executing air assault operations with cutting-edge defence technology. Reviewing the exercise that had just concluded Commander 7th Army Training Command Brig Gen Steven P. Carpenter said “the multinational Exercise Griffin Lightning 2025 is part of a larger NATO exercise Steadfast Defender 25 which involves 25 thousand troops from 30 NATO Allies and deployed from 18 countries to conduct five parallel airborne assault operation into the Baltic region. Such an exercise is an excellent instrument for NATO Allies and Partners to train a swift and decisive force lift within Europe and worldwide.”
The multinational exercises Iron Wolf 2025-I, Swift Response 2025, Strong Shield 5 and the national training event Thunder Fortress 2025 were integrated into Exercise Griffin Lightning 2025 conducted by the Multinational Corps Northeast in order to hone Eastern flank defence plans. The military exercises currently running in Lithuania put through intense training approx. 8 thousand Lithuanian and Allied troops, over a thousand pieces of military equipment, several dozen of aircraft and other military equipment.
Info credits: Lithuanian Armed Forces.
SSgt. A. Čemerka/ MoD
