On June 17 next Defence Attaché of the United States of America Lt Col Jesse Allgeyer was accredited to LIthuania at a ceremony at the Ministry of National Defence and his predecessor Lt Col Stephanie Baugh was farewelled after serving in the position for three years. Before the current diplomatic appointment, Lt Col J. Allgeyer served as the Deputy Chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Romania.
“Recent years have seen a series of dramatic changes in the security situation in the region. The ongoing Russia’s war in Ukraine has impacted the European security significantly, but it has also consolidated our efforts in a fight for the values of democracy and freedom. We are delighted that today we have an uninterrupted rotational U.S. force presence in Lithuania. We are genuinely grateful to the United States because the American boots on the ground in the Baltic region is the main deterrent against Russia. In our turn, we are doing everything possible to ensure the best lodging and training conditions for the U.S. forces in Lithuania,” said Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas at the ceremony.
Minister also thanked the U.S. for immense assistance, experience, training and financial, in bolstering the Lithuanian Armed Forces capabilities. “We welcome the excellent interoperability between Lithuanian and U.S. forces and we will continue to seek perfection in this area. We prioritize our close and intense defence cooperation and increasing acquisitions from the U.S.,” Minister L. Kasčiūnas underscored.
“My main priority as an Ambassador is the U.S-Lithuanian security relations. Lt Col S. Baugh has strengthened our relations substantially over the three years, while Lt Col J. Allgeyer will continue to guide the security and defence relations with our Ally Lithuania to an even deeper level,” said Ambassador of the United States to Lithuania HE Kara McDonald in a message.
Minister L. Kasčiūnas thanked the outgoing Lt Col St. Baugh for excellent work and personal contribution tin developing cooperation between the Lithuanian and the U.S. militaries and decorated her with the National Defence System Medal of Merit.
Chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation at the United States Embassy Lt Col Stephen Chu was also farewelled at the ceremony.
Photo credits: A. Pliadis/MoD
