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News archive (2009 - 07)
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Lithuanian and Afghan youth videoconferenced on their age group problems 2009-07-29
  On July 28 Joint Staff of Lithuania Armed Forces organised video conference for representatives of youth organisations in Lithuania and Afghanistan. Video bridge provided the opportunity of communication for representatives of the Council of Lithuanian Youth Organisations (LiJOT) in the Joint Staff Headquarters in Vilnius and members of AYNSO (Afghan Youth National and Social Organisation) gathered in the PRT-9 HQ in Chaghcharan. For over an hour Lithuanians and Afghans discussed ideas regarding the meaning of the youth organisations' activities and education for the process of building democratic civil society, as well as problems youth encounter in both countries. Members of LiJOT spoke in English likewise AYNSO with an exception of just one member who spoke in Dari and was assisted by an interpreter.
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Farewell ceremony for Defence Attaché of Canada held in the Ministry of National Defence 2009-07-29
 On 29 July farewell ceremony with the departing Canadian Defence Attaché for Lithuania Jim Petryk was held in the Ministry of National Defence. On this occasion he was awarded the Armed Forces System Medal of Merit. Col J.Petrykas assumed office as Defence Attaché for Lithuania nearly three years ago and resided in Warsaw. New Canadian Defence Attaché is planned to be accredited in September. |
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PRT-9 engineers destroyed over 30 standard explosive devices 2009-07-28
Engineers of the Lithuanian-led Chaghcharan Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT-9) destroyed 34 explosives found by Ghowr demining specialists in the territory of Chaghcharan Airport in the period of July 20-27. PRT-9 engineers lend assistance in destroying explosives because provincial specialists lack facilities to safely conduct destruction. Territory of Chaghcharan Airport is being swept for explosives before the planned reconstruction within a short while.
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The forth Chief of Defence took an oath 2009-07-28
 On 28 July at the square in front of the Ministry of National Defence the solemn initiation ceremony of the assigning of the Chief of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania was held. Following the manual of drill and military ceremonies the President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė put Major General Arvydas Pocius on oath and presented him authority regalia: the badge of the Chief of Defence, sceptre and Flag of the Armed Forces.
While extending congratulations to A.Pocius the President emphasized huge responsibility and honour of the Chief of Defence. |
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Meeting ceremony of the first NATO Strategic Transport Aircraft C-17 in Hungary 2009-07-27
 On 27 July first "C-17 Boeing Globemaster III" aircraft arrived to the permanent deployment location in Papa Air Base, Hungary. The aircraft was procured by countries, including Lithuania, participating in NATO strategic air transport program. Lithuanian Ambassador in Hungary Renatas Juška and Lithuanian Defence Attaché Colonel Eugenijus Vosylius participated in the aircraft meeting ceremony in Papa city. Multilateral agreement to create strategic (i.e. long range) airlift capabilities by collectively procuring three C-17 aircraft became effective on 23 October, 2008. Agreement was signed by ten NATO members: Bulgaria, USA, Estonia, Poland Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, Hungary ant two NATO partners - Finland and Sweden. In accordance with this agreement countries will use aircraft for different types of NATO and European Union led multinational operations; military, humanitarian and other. |
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Lithuanian and Estonian Defence Ministers Agreed Jointly Divide Responsibility Concerning Trilateral Baltic Battalion 2009-07-27
 On 27 July Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Rasa Juknevičienė and Estonian Defence Minister Jaak Aaviksoo by phone discussed readiness of Baltic Battalion to be on duty in NATO Response Force after the information that due to extremely difficult economic situation Latvia will decrease its input into the battalion.
Lithuanian and Estonian ministers approved of the decision taken in the meeting of Baltic States' Chiefs of Defence held on 21 July to divide responsibility by assigning lacking capabilities for the battalion and stressed that trilateral battalion project and readiness of the battalion to be on duty in NATO force is still priority number one of the Baltic States, as this reflects solidarity of the countries and ability to act collectively. |
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American reporter‘s view of Lithuanian troops in Afghanistan 2009-07-23
 Michael Yon, the war reporter of the USA, visited the Lithuanian-led Ghor Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Afghanistan. He was interested in the military service and living conditions of Lithuanian troops, went together on patrols, met representatives of the provincial administration, and was acquainted with various assistance projects completed or still under conduction by Lithuania in the Ghor province. Visit of M. Yon in PRT started from 28 June to 16 July, 2009. |
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Second shift of National Support Element was sent to Afghanistan 2009-07-23
 On 22 July in Šiauliai airport the second shift of National Support Element (NPE-2), including eighteen specialists: finance, procurement, loading and movement control, storage experts, was solemnly sent to Afghanistan. NPE-2 will completely take over the mission from the first shift by the middle of August. In the ceremony participated Commander of the Logistic Command of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Colonel Ovidijus Eitminavičius, Air Base Commander Lieutenant Colonel Audronis Navickas, Chief Chaplain of the Air Force Major Virginijus Veilentas, relatives of soldiers. Commander of the Logistic Command wished success and strength for the soldiers, their relatives and friends. Colonel O.Eitminavičius said, that if he could he would give medals not only for the soldiers, but for their relatives as well. |
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76th anniversary of S.Darius and S.Girėnas‘ flight commemorated in Poland 2009-07-21
 On July 19 in Poland, Szczecin in the forest of village Pscelnik was commemorated 76th anniversary of S.Darius and S.Girėnas flight across Atlantic Ocean. In the events participated Deputy Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania Algis Kašėta, Lithuanian Ambassador in Poland Egidijus Meilūnas, Lithuanian Defence Attache in Poland Colonel Eugenijus Vosylius, Lithuanian Consul of Honour in Szczecin Wieslaw Wierzchos, representatives of Seacost District, Myslibusz city and church. |
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Latvia reduces input into the Baltic Battalion, Lithuania and Estonia will contribute lacking capabilities 2009-07-21
 In the meeting of the Chiefs of Defence of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia held in Riga on July 21 it was agreed that obligations for allies and preparation of joint Baltic States Battalion for duty in the NATO Response Force in the first half of 2010 is still a priority number one for all three states.
The meeting was convened when last week Latvian Defence Minister officially informed colleagues that due to highly complicated economic situation, Latvia will not be capable of assigning planned Latvian soldiers' company for the joined Baltic Battalion. In the meeting Latvia confirmed that country will contribute to the battalion, although its input will be significantly reduced. Lithuania and Estonia agreed that they will jointly compensate lacking capabilities. |
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