Fully integrated into the Battle Group of the enhanced Forward Presence (eFP BG), the French operational mission LYNX has been deployed in Lithuania for a 6-month period. It is the second deployment of this type since 2018. Since their arrival in early July in the Rukla military camp, the French soldiers have been in regular contact with their Lithuanian counterparts from Host Nation Support. The support element of the Iron Wolf Brigade, to whom the NATO Battle Group is subordinate.
“The purpose of our office, within the Iron Wolf Brigade, is to support each of the eFP BG nations in terms of accommodation, food, or special requests during an exercise or an authority visit,” explains Captain Darius, Chief of Host Nation Support. “We are the liaison office between the Allied nations and the Lithuanian military stationed at the Rukla barracks”.
The close cooperation started long before the arrival of the French detachment in Lithuania. Indeed, as Major Serge, head of the National Support Element (NSE) of the LYNX mission, points out, “relations were immediately frank, cordial and extremely productive. As early as April, we began preparing for the arrival of the troops and they were of invaluable help. Captain Darius and Major Serge worked hand in hand on several occasions. We have weekly meetings with all the heads of the National Support Elements,” he said. “This is an opportunity to make our requests, find solutions to possible infrastructure problems or to learn a little more about events that could impact the day-to-day life of the French detachment”. Captain Darius continues: “We made it easier for the French when the French ambassador came to the camp or when we organized the Bastille Day ceremony at the camp. The goal in these cases was to help them prepare the parade ground, set up the vehicles, or provide soldiers to block traffic during special ceremonies. ». Major Serge concludes” every time we meet our Lithuanian counterparts, we feel welcome. They are very willing and always show concern for the well-being of all the French soldiers deployed in Rukla”.
Concerning Lieutenant Kristina, she supported the French detachment in its relations with the Lithuanian civil environment, for instance by facilitating contacts with schools or the University of Vilnius for specific projects. “With Captain Sébastien, we have often worked together to coordinate our actions, manage relations with the local press to highlight the French mission and strengthen mutual knowledge between our armies.” In a few days’ time, she will once again be alongside the French soldiers of the LYNX mission, to welcome the Lithuanian and French presidents who will make an official visit to the Rukla military camp.
“It’s great to have French troops here in Rukla, as well as multinational troops. We do the same training; we cooperate, so we can be more interoperable. It’s very important that we build a trustful relationship, which is very useful if we are to act together. I’m very happy with the troops that are here and especially that this is the second time that you are sending French troops here to Lithuania” sums up Colonel Mindaugas Petkeviĉius, commander of the Iron Wolf Brigade to which the NATO Battle Group is subordinated. For him, it is an honour to work with the soldiers of the mission LYNX because “you have a way of working that is always successful. I’ve only heard good things about the French military troops.”. It is also a source of pride for Colonel Petkeviĉius, who will meet with the Chief of the French Armed Forces, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, during his official visit on September 29.
On the eve of the visit of the President of the French Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, Colonel Petkeviĉius received us in the heart of his brigade in Rukla.
What does it mean for you to host French soldiers for the second time in your Brigade on the military camp of Rukla ?
To get this on a higher perspective, the French troops in the eFP Battle Group is actually NATO in action. It is a great example of NATO’s commitment to the collective defence. It is providing security to Lithuanian people and the public. If I am going a bit lower to the tactical level, for me as a brigade commander, it is beneficial to have French troops, as well as multinational troops in the team. We are part of the same training site. We do the same training, we cooperate, and we can be more interoperable. The most valuable thing is that we trust each other, which is essential if we have to fight together. I am very happy of the troops here. It would have been great if you could have visited our country but the COVID situation doesn’t allow it. Training wise I am looking forward to the iron wolf exercise. It’s coming along very good. In November, we should have another exercise together with the Lithuanian army. The Iron Wolf Brigade will lead the eFP Battalion troops. We’ll have a full team operating together, planning, defending attacking and learning from each other.
Have you personally already been engaged abroad in a mission alongside French troops for an EU mission, NATO or a mission in Africa for instance?
I had never been working directly with French troops before but I had exposure: I had been deployed in an international environment in Brunssum, at the NATO Allied Joint Force Command, in the Netherlands. I worked alongside French officers in the staff commanding office. There was also a time in Afghanistan while I was working with a provincial reconstruction team and we met French troops in Kabul. France has a long military history. You have your ways of doing things that always succeed. I have only heard good things about French military troops.
Do you have any soldiers from your brigade currently engaged in a mission abroad?
We don’t have many. We send staff officers in different locations. We send people to training missions in Ukraine. We are providing expertise to our Ukrainian friends, we share our soldiers’ skills and shooting skills…it is our focus right now. The Lithuanian army refocused since 2014 on its own national defence. We have established a new national service with our young conscripts.
During these last weeks, we have seen many young troops training on your campsite. It was interesting because we are doing the same. At the beginning of our tour, here in July and August we had also young soldiers who were here to continue their training that had begun in France. They were marching and singing and now it is the turn of the young Lithuanian soldiers.
We have established the conscripts system because we needed military reservist in our troops. However, the main reason is to have our people back in the defence. We build resilience in the society. If we need to defend, we have to defend not only the military forces but all the Lithuanian people.
Text and ITW: Captain Sébastien Isern, French army
Photos: @ema/com
