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The entire United States military battalion, about 500 soldiers, spent nine months in our country, mainly in Pabradė, where a special camp was established. Dozens of tanks and equipment with combat wheels were brought to Lithuania for the mission. The entire battalion is being transferred from the camp to a port from which it will travel back to the United States, Texas. Currently, this equipment is thoroughly washed and disinfected in the port. All of the soldiers’ items and ammunition are taken from tanks and other equipment. They will also be disinfected.
I liked zeppelins
“100 percent, yes, yes,” Captain Ian Young, one of the leaders who spent nine months in Lithuania, repeated the word “yes” in a good mood in Lithuanian. – The people of Vilnius were very friendly, warm, the food was wonderful. The zeppelins were so delicious that I loved them. We train with our allies, we share experiences of how we work, how they work. Indescribable experience. I want to return as a tourist to see this country. I was in Vilnius, Kaunas, I saw a little of Klaipeda, I learned some words in Lithuanian. The field is beautiful, the people are very friendly. There are stories here, cities are so old and so many historical objects. ”
Lt. Col. Stephen Johnson, commander of the 1st Battalion, Ninth Cavalry Regiment, says that much has been done in nine months, the soldiers have learned and taught others. The experience was shared with the Lithuanian army, as well as with allies from Germany, currently also deployed in Lithuania.
VIDEO: American military equipment and soldiers are preparing for their home in the port of Klaipeda
In addition to individual and team exercises, the soldiers also participated in the life of the Pabradė community, taught students English, became interested in Lithuanian history and traditions, and shared knowledge about their country. Soldiers contributed to their work by rebuilding one of the schools near Kaunas. He says that he has participated in many festive marches in our country and in Estonia.
Photo by J. Andriejauskaitė / 15min / S.Johnson
According to S. Johnson, about 500 soldiers arrived in Lithuania from about 30 US states. USA Most spent 9 months in the country, some shorter, as there were soldiers who gave birth to a baby or died a relative on the mission.
“The hardest part is being away from family. I have two children, a 16-year-old son and a 14-year-old daughter, a wife I married 20 years ago. We have seen each other since school. When you are out, this is the most difficult part. All I can tell you is that Lithuania is the best experience I have had during my military career away from my family, as a second home. People are very friendly, we feel very comfortable and pleasant, “said the commander. His wife also came to the country in March. S. Johnson hopes that he still has a chance to get to know Lithuania as a tourist and return here, and for the moment he says that everything should be prepared carefully and unhurriedly to load onto a ship.
All I can tell you is that Lithuania is the best experience I have had during my military career away from my family, as a second home.
According to the commander, the preparation process is a responsible part, especially since all the soldiers are very anxious and in a hurry because they want to go home. Management is working to slow down so the team can do the job responsibly and diligently.
US troops spent approximately one more month in Lithuania due to the global coronavirus pandemic. The commander says that everything must be viewed positively. During overtime, the soldiers studied individually, completed an additional military course, making them even stronger.
The soldiers of the house will return at the end of June. A ship is waiting in Klaipeda, which will be loaded with all the military equipment: 29 tanks and 22 combat vehicles.
Feel safe
R. Juška, the head of the company “Klaipėdos smeltė”, says that he has already been working with military equipment for the third year. Over the past two years, a lot of rebuilding work has been done to ensure this equipment arrives and departs port smoothly.
“We send the owners some photos, we write that we are strong and safe, because NATO protects us with tanks, with everything. This is our contribution to what is important for Lithuania, it is security, cooperation,” said V. Juška .
According to him, in the first year there was concern about the success of cooperation with the military. According to security, the management did not allow them to go to the canteen, they had to eat dry rations.
“But when we stayed, they saw order and security, they occupied the canteen last year, we could no longer enter the canteen ourselves, they collapsed,” smiles the manager. The words of the soldiers caress the heart of the company that in Lithuania they were located in one of the best bases in the entire NATO bloc.
The arrival and departure of the US military equipment is coordinated by the Arijus logistics company that operates in the port city. Their leader, Arijus Ramonas, says that last year an all-infrastructure camp for soldiers was established in Pabradė in three weeks, both residential and for training, sports and offices.
“It just came to our attention then. There were reviews that this is the best camp they have ever had,” said A. Ramonas.
According to him, the company’s employees currently work countless hours, which is why the United States ‘partners’ assessment that it is one of the best-implemented projects the United States Army has had motivates it to fight. The company also cooperates with the armies of other countries: Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain.
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