Next Defence Attaché of Canada Col Earl Vandahl was accredited to Lithuania Monday at the Ministry of National Defence. Vice Minister of National Defence Margiris Abukevičius welcomed him to the position saying that the recently strengthened cooperation between Lithuania and Canada will become even closer in the future.
“Canada is a crucial element in the transatlantic bond, and a strong transatlantic bond is the foundation of an effective collective NATO defence. Canada makes a weighty contribution to the European security, particularly is smaller countries, such as the Baltic countries. A persistent allied presence in our region is vital for a credible deterrence,” said Vice Minister M. Abukevičius wishing Col E.Vandahl best of luck in his position.
Canada, an important ally of the Baltic states, currently leads the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group Latvia. The Canadian Air Force carried out the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states from Šiauliai in 2014, and three Canadian officers have been serving in the NATO Force Integration Unit Lithuania in 2015.
The new Defence Attaché of Canada to Lithuania has held different positions across the Canadian Armed Forces. His capacity until 2020 was the Director of Force Development at the Canadian Special Operation Forces Command.
MoD/G.Maksimovicz-Alkema
