Enhanced Forward Presence battalions were deployed by the eastern border of the Alliance in 2017, by consensus of NATO Heads of State in response to the aggressive Russian behavior in Ukraine and the changed security situation in the region. One of the four battalions established five years ago was deployed in Lithuania, Rukla, and Colonel Christoph Huber was its first commander. As we mark the 5th anniversary of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence in Lithuania, the German Army Colonel shares his recollections and explains the meaning of NATO military presence in Lithuania to the entire Alliance.
The eFP Battle Groups are a proof of solidarity and allied collective defence commitment. The United Kingdom in Estonia, Canada in Latvia, and the United States of America – in Poland. While in Lithuania, the framework nation and chief force contributor is Germany. Its contribution at Rukla is currently strengthened by Belgium, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Norway. Approx. 15 thousand troops from nine NATO allies have served in the eFP Battle Group over the 5 years, thus sending a clear message about the unity of the Alliance. Col C. Huber says it was his service in Lithuania that taught him the immense importance of such unity.
“After the decisions at the NATO Summit at Warsaw, the mission of providing the first rotation of enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group went through a very dynamic development, and the preparations for the eFP Battle Group had to be completed under intense time pressure. However, we were all looking forward with excitement to this import task,” he says.
“The aim was to set a strong example of Alliance Solidarity, and contribute to NATO’s deterrence and defence capability. I firmly believe that this remains an important building block for the security of our nations today.
Right from the beginning, we were made to feel extraordinarily welcome by our Lithuanian hosts as a firm part of Lithuanian Iron Wolf Brigade. About six months after the decisions of the Warsaw Summit, we were in Lithuania. From my point of view, the Lithuanian Armed Forces, but also our multinational partners and Germany as the Framework Nation, did an exceptional job to enable our arrival and successful launch in early 2017.”
“From my point of view, we were able to increase our military skills enormously during our time in Lithuania. This is especially true in terms of collective defence. I am deeply convinced that this intensive training experience and the associated military skill gains will also apply to our subsequent rotations.
In Lithuania, I was able to get to know the essence of our NATO, in numerous exercises men and women of the eFP Battle Group fought and stood side by side with their Lithuanian fellow soldiers for our security,” tells Colonel Christoph Huber about his experience.
NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Lithuania personnel are constantly conducting active training and honing interoperability with the Lithuanian Armed Forces at all major military exercises in Lithuania. Allies that rotated in military personnel to Lithuania over the 5 years are Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Croatia, Luxembourg and Iceland. They also brought along approx. 6,000 units of military equipment. Combat capability enforcement is added at Rukla depending on the need One rotation numbers up to 1,200 troops, 600 of them are currently contributed by Germany with another 350 German military personnel set to arrive soon.
Photo credits: Ministry of National Defence, Lithuanian Armed Forces archive.
