During the visit to the Ministry of National Defence on June 30, U.S. Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth reaffirmed that the number of U.S. military personnel in the Baltic states would soon be increased.
According to Ch. Wormuth, the United States commits to strengthening its rotational combat capabilities deployed in the Baltic states and making adjustments depending on how conditions on the ground develop. “The Baltic security is very important to us and we will therefore continue the heel-to-toe rotational U.S. presence here.”
During the visit to Lithuania Secretary of the Army discussed with Vice Ministers of National Defence Margiris Abukevičius and Vilius Semeška the security situation, U.S. military presence and development of military infrastructure in Lithuania. Vice Ministers thanked her for the long-term U.S. commitment to the Baltic security and the leadership in NATO. According to M. Abukevičius, a strong transatlantic bond is particularly important to Lithuania in these times.
“The security situation in the region remains vulnerable, Russia poses a threat not only to Ukraine but also to the security of the whole Europe. Necessary decisions have been taken at the NATO Summit in Madrid to strengthen the defense posture of the Alliance in its eastern flank. We welcome the U.S. plans to reinforce military presence in the Baltic states the resolve of the Allies to defend every inch of NATO territory is immensely important to the people of Lithuania,” said M. Abukevičius.
Vice Minister V. Semeška underscored that Lithuania would do everything possible to provide all necessary Host Nation Support and build all required infrastructure to the deploying allied troops.
The United States is Lithuania’s strategic partner and one of the key Allies for the Baltic security, therefore Lithuania seeks a sustained persistent U.S. force presence in any form in the region. Currently, the fifth rotation of the heavy U.S. battalion with Abrams tanks and Bradley IFVs is deployed at Pabradė. U.S. military personnel in Lithuania are constantly training in exercises thus increasing interoperability of the Allied militaries.
The Americans actively contribute to the assurance measures in the Baltic states with troops and equipment, as well as financial assistance for strengthening Lithuania’s defensive capabilities and developing military infrastructure thus strengthening regional security and stability. The United States is one of Lithuania’s key Allies in defence acquisitions as well: Lithuania has been buying American Javelin anti-tank systems for many years, and recently contracts have been sign on acquisition on 200 units of JLTVs and 4 units of Black Hawk helicopters. Also, cybersecurity cooperation between the countries has been growing stronger recently too.
Photo credits: MoD / A. Garbar
