Other events in Baltic States

On June 5, Media and Distinguished Visitor Day of the multinational exercise Saber Strike 2013 took place in the Pabrade Training Area of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The event was attended by President of the Republic of Lithuania HE Dalia Grybauskaite, Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas and Minister of the Interior Dailis Alfonsas Barakauskas, members of the Semas and the Committee on National Security and Defence, leadership of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, ambassadors and defence attaches of foreign states based in Lithuania, commanders of the U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) and the Pennsylvania National Guard, commander of the NATO Multinational Corp North East (MNC NE), representatives of municipal institutions, administration of Svencioniu district, and others, informs LETA.

President Dalia Grybauskaite stated that the exercise was an excellent example of cooperation between the Baltic States and the United States of America. By participating in various exercises and gaining experience in multinational operations, the countries get ready to combat international threats and, in case of crises in the region, to ensure the security of the Baltic region, according to the Press Service of the President.

Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Arvydas Pocius underlined the importance of the fact that troops were gaining realistic experience necessary for participation in multinational operations and in particular – the fact that NATO allies were also taking part in the training event.

Saber Strike 2013 is a part of cooperation developed by the US Army Europe (USAREUR) and the Baltic States for three years already. The training event takes place simultaneously in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

This year Saber Strike 2013 involves representatives from Finland, France, the United Kingdom, Poland, NATO's Multinational Corps Northeast, U.S. Army Europe and the US. Air Forces in Europe, the US Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, and the US Army Cadet Command alongside the Baltic States and the USA. There are over 1,000 of exercises participants in the part of the exercise hosted by Lithuania and the total of over 2 thousand – in all the three countries.

In several training sites in Estonia and Lithuania brigade-level staff planning procedures are improved while the Adazi range, Latvia, hosts a company-level tactical field exercise. US close air support operations are also integrated in Saber Strike 2013 and an expeditionary medical support unit has been deployed in Pabrade.