On July 24 the transfer of authority took place at the Lithuanian Armed Forces during a ceremony in the Cathedral Square. The incoming chief of Defence of Lithuania General Raimundas Vaikšnoras received the Lithuanian Armed Forces flag and other regalia of command from the President of the Republic of LIthuania and Commander-in-Chief HE Gitanas Nausėda.
The event was attended by Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kaščiūnas, Chair of the NATO Military Committee Adm Rob Bauer, Chief of Defence of Estonia Maj Gen Andrus Merilo, Chief of Defence of Latvia Lt Gen Leonīds Kalninš, Chief of Defence of Portugal Gen Jose Nunes da Fonseca, Commander of the NATO Multinational Northeast Corps Maj Gen Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart, commanders of services and units of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, commanders of Allied contingents in Lithuania, foreign defence attachés, representatives of NGOs, and other distinguished guests.
Chief of Defence General Valdemaras Rupšys relinquished the duties and saluted the lined up color guards bidding farewell to the commanders and personnel of the armed services. President of the Republic of Lithuania presented to the outgoing Chief of Defence the symbol of the state, the national flag, a personal weapon and symbolically a replica of the mace of the Great Hetman of Lithuania.
“Great challenges lead to difficult times, while difficult times shape leaders. Incoming Chief of Defence Raimundas Vaikšnoras is a true leader, therefore I am confident that he will usher in positive and tangible results. Knowing the energy and resolve the new Chief of Defence brings, I can only wish patience and consistency and keeping the vision throughout the term. I wish that when the five year term concludes, it would be possible to tell sincerely that the Lithuanian Armed Forces have done everything to ensure our security,” said Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas in his remarks.
The Decree of the President on the appointment of General R. Vaikšnoras as the Chief of Defence of Lithuania was read out loud at the ceremony: the incoming top officer swore to protect the integrity of the territory of Lithuania and strengthen the Lithuanian Armed Forces. President of the Republic of Lithuania HE G. Nausėda bestowed on the new Chief of Defence the Lithuanian Armed Forces flag, scepter and the Chief of Defence badge.
The state and national flags of the Republic of Lithuania were paraded at the ceremony along with color guards of the Lithuanian Land Force, Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf, Lithuanian Great Hetman Jonas Karolis Chodkevičius Infantry Brigade Griffin, National Defence Volunteer Force and Colonel Juozas Vitkus Engineer Battalion, Air Force, Navy, Special Operations Forces, Training and Doctrine Command, Logistics Command, Lithuanian Grand Duke GEdiminas Headquarters Battalion, Lithuanian Great Hetman Kristupas Radvila Perkūnas Signal and IS Battalion, Military Police, General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania. The parade was commander by Commander Lithuanian Land Force Brig Gen Artūras Radvilas.
Photo credits: A. Pliadis/MoD
Info credits: Lithuanian Armed Forces
