Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas welcomed Lithuanian service members deploying home from the mission in Iraq at a ceremony at the Lithuanian Grand Duke Butigeidis Dragoon Battalion on October 20. They were awarded Minister’s Medals for exemplary service, dedication and personal contribution in furthering the international operations objectives.
The Lithuanian Force Protection Unit formed mainly by the Lithuanian Grand Duke Butigeidis Dragoon Battalion deployed back from the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI). The non-combat operation is designed to strengthen the Iraqi military and security institutions so that they are able to stand p to terrorism, to prevent Islamic State activities in Iraq and stabilize the country. The 34-stroing Lithuanian platoon were ensuring protection of NATO trainers against solitary Islamic State squad attacks.
“I am glad to see all Lithuanian troops returning home safe after the Force Protection responsibilities with the Danish Mobile Force Protection Company in the currently rather tumultuous Iraq. It is noteworthy that the unit has not only contributed to the stability in Iraq and force training but also served as an important continuation of the military cooperation between the three Baltic states and Denmark,” said A. Anušauskas. After the visit to the Lithuanian Grand Duke Butigeidis Dragoon Battalion he will also visit the 3rd Territorial Unit of the National Defence Volunteer Force and the Lithuanian Navy.
The homecoming ceremony was also attended by Commander Lithuanian Land Force Brigadier General Artūras Radvilas, commanders of other Lithuanian Armed Forces units, representatives of the city council and relatives of the troops. Brig Gen A. Radvilas said welcoming the unit that there was no better way to temper a soldier than the need to gear up among peers in international deployments.
Lithuania joined the NATO Mission Iraq in early 2019. This year, Denmark has decided to end its participation in the mission, as a result, Lithuania plans no further rotations either.
Contribution to international operations remains an important component of expression and means of Lithuania’s international commitments that strengthens the NATO collective and the EU Common Security and Defence policies, the UN peacekeeping and bilateral and multilateral military cooperation.
Lithuania currently contributes to seven multinational missions and operations: the UN MINUSMA in Mali, the EU Training Mission Mali, the EU Training Mission in the Central African Republic, the EU Training Mission in Mozambique, the EU naval operation ATALANTA, the EU Naval Force IRINI and the NATO operation in Kosovo KFOR.
Photo credits: Lithuanian Armed Forces / M. Melinytė
