Lithuanian chief of defence visits soldiers serving in Afghanistan

There are roughly 70 Lithuanians deployed in Afghanistan with the multinational allied forces.

The major part of the Lithuanian contingent in Afghanistan is made up by personnel of the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces Aitvaras Squadron completing reconnaissance tasks and training Special Rapid Response Company of the Afghan National Police in Kandahar. Apart from the Aitvaras, there are several Lithuanian officers serving in NATO operational headquarters in Kabul, Kandahar and Herat, members of the Lithuanian Military Police ensuring protection of the Head of the Lithuanian Special Mission in Afghanistan based in Kabul, and the National Support Element conducting logistical provision for all the Lithuanian military and civilian personnel in Afghanistan. One Lithuanian officer is serving in the United Nations Assistance mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

The Chief was accompanied on his journey to Afghanistan by 5 Lithuanian soldiers who have been deployed to the NATO Training Mission Resolute Support in Herat HQ as of the beginning of the next year.

The currently ongoing NATO ISAF mission in Afghanistan will be closer on 31 December 2014. With its completion, a new non-combat Resolute Support Mission will be launched to train, mentor and advise the Afghan National Security Forces, ministries, and other authorities. Legal basis for the mission has been provided by signing a Status of Forces Agreement in Kabul on 30 September 2014 by NATO and the president of Afghanistan. Resolute Support Mission will involve roughly 12.000 troops from NATO and partner states. Lithuania’s contribution will number up to 100.