The 1-66 heavy armor U.S. Army battalion which deployed to Lithuania from the state of New York in late May officially took over from the previous rotation, U.S. heavy armor battalion 3-66, who had been deployed in Lithuania since last fall Their rotation was extended and strengthened with additional force in February earlier this year in response to the changed security situation. The new rotation of the U.S. presence in Lithuania will train alongside Lithuanian and Allied military for the next six months.
“We are especially thankful to the United States of America for its solidarity and support which we have been enjoying for years and in particular today, as we are faced with new challenges on the eastern NATO border. I would like to emphasize that military U.S. presence in Lithuania alongside NATO forward presence is the best deterrent against Russia. We prioritize proper presence and readiness conditions for U.S. troops in Lithuania,” says Vice Minister of National Defence Vilius Semeška.
“As we bid farewell to the 3-66, we are immensely grateful to them. Their presence has filled in a critical role over the past 12 months of protecting national security interests of the United States of America, Lithuania and the Alliance,” said Ambassador of the United States to Lithuania HE Robert Gilchrist. He underscored that arrival of the 1-66 was a clear signal to Vladimir Putin: “Our commitment to NATO is iron-clad. We will not waver. We will defend every inch of NATO territory. We are grateful to Lithuania for the exceptional host national support it has provided to all five rotational battalions since 2019.”
The new rotational has deployed to the base in Lithuania with M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, M1068A3 armored command post vehicles, trucks, ATVs, and other necessary military equipment, in total, approx. 180 items.
The U.S. troops settled in at Camp Herkus installed for allied forces at the Lithuanian Armed Forces Military Training Area at Pabradė. During the approx. one month of concurrent service in Lithuania, the U.S. troops will be also using the temporary facility for allied military personnel, Camp Tauras. It house up to 840 troops, both camps has all necessary infrastructure – barracks, administrative premises, mess hall, etc.
In case of necessity, temporary Camp Tauras could be used not only by American but also Lithuania and other Allied forces. Previously, U.S. military personnel would settle in the sites for training across Lithuania. Camp Tauras has been installed on additional funding for Host National Support appropriated for national defence this year. The infrastructure contributes to ensuring appropriate training and living conditions and extends the possibilities for rotating more U.S. troops in the country.
The 1-66 where not only the first to test the new camp at Pabradė but also the first troops to deploy through and unload at the new Kaunas Intermodal Terminal, by European Railways. The development of infrastructure for Allied forces deploying in Lithuania is an ongoing continuous process which encompasses infrastructure building projects for Pabradė, Rukla and the Lithuanian Air Forces Base, in parallel with the improvement of military mobility conditions across Lithuania.
Photo credits: Lithuanian Armed Forces / Pte 1st Class Viktorija Sinkevičienė
