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MAY 2021. NO 5 (36)

NEWS

RELATIONS WITH IS ONE OF THE MAIN PILLARS OF ’S DEFENCE

NATO DEFENDING IS A PIPE DREAM

Tribute paid to the NATO'S PRESENCE THE 2ND MISSION IN fallen for freedom LITHUANIA "ALL TOGETHER, WE ARE THE NATO ARMY THAT IS READY TO DEFEND ITS STATE AND PEOPLE, BUT THERE HAS TO BE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE — CELEBRATION OF THIS DAY UNIFIES THE AND THE SOCIETY. WE ARE LOOKING AT ONLY JUST A FRAGMENT OF THE ALLIES AND THE ARMED FORCES BUT IT IS SOPHISTICATED ENOUGH TO COUNTER THE CONTEMPORARY THREATS," SAID MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENCE TO THE AUDIENCE GATHERED TO MARK REMEMBRANCE AND MILITARY AND PUBLIC UNITY DAY IN VARĖNA, MAY 15. inister reminded that a remar- Lukša-Daumantas passed the colours to the kably big number of people sac- modern-day . This rificed their lives for Lithuania year Lithuania celebrates what could have SPECIAL Mand there were thousands of members and been the 100 anniversary of partisan leader supporters of the resistance in that area. Juozas Lukša-Daumantas. LITHUANIAN MILITARY "This commemorative day is the best sym- "The military and the public, I dare say, are HEROES STILL WALK bolism and act of remembrance to those one. We are united by our Motherland — the AMOUNG US who laid down their lives for Lithuania," home we are determined to protect and de- stressed A. Anušauskas. fend. It doesn’t even matter by what means. It On May 15 Partisan Remembrance and doesn’t matter because the history has shown Military and Public Unity Day was marked and taught us that there is no wrong way to with a Lithuanian Armed Forces-organized fight for freedom. What matters is mutual military equipment convoy across South spirit and determination. We have chosen Lithuania with two stops, in Varėna and Laz- this region for our march purposefully: this dijai, to commemorate . is the birthplace of eminent partisan leaders Tribute was paid to Lithuanian freedom whose decisions and actions, influence and fighters: a member of "Partizanas" mili- motivation resounded way beyond Southern tary history club wearing a replica of Juozas See page 2 Content Tribute paid to the NEWS TRIBUTE PAID TO THE FALLEN FOR fallen for freedom FREEDOM...... 1,2 RELATIONS WITH POLAND IS ONE OF THE MAIN PILLARS OF LITHUANIA’S DEFENCE...... 3 NATO DEFENDING EUROPE IS A PIPE DREAM...... 4

GERMANY EXPECTS 'WAVE' OF NEW EUROTANK PARTNERS...... 5

NO ONE WILL WIN THE COMPETITION IN THE HIGH NORTH...... 6

FUNDING EUROPE’S NEXT-GEN FIGHTER ...... 7

THE NORTHERN BEAR: HOW IS THE KREMLIN GETTING ALONG WITH ITS NEIGHBORS? ...... 8,9 IN SHORT From page 1 Lithuania. Just like their name today is known not only in Lithuania but LIGHT TANKS IN THE LITHUANIAN ARMED in the world," spoke Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lt Gen Valdemaras FORCES (1924–1940)...... 10 Rupšys. Over 20 units of military equipment of the Lithuanian Armed Forces NATO'S PRESENCE and the NATO allies (Vilkas Infantry Fighting Vehicle, PzH 2000 self- propelled field artillery howitzer, Boxer Infantry Fighting Vehicle of NATO AIR POLICING MISSION the German military, Piranha fighting vehicles of the Belgian military, DETACHMENTS CHANGED OVER...... 14 armored reconnaissance vehicle, all-terrain vehicles, and other equip- ND ment) travelled from Lazdijai to Varėna in the convoy. THE 2 MISSION The tradition to commemorate the unity of the military and the IN LITHUANIA...... 16 public once a year dates back to the inter-war Lithuania. The day is most usually celebrated on the third weekend of May. The celebration SPECIAL was revived after the restoration of Independence, in 1993, and takes place in a different region of Lithuania every year. LITHUANIAN MILITARY HEROES STILL MoD information WALK AMOUNG US...... 20 Photo credits: Sgt Spc 1st Class Ieva Budzeikaitė

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Publisher — Lithuanian Armed Forces. The opinion of editorial office does not necessarily coin- cide with the opinion of the authors. Pictures, manuscripts are not returned and reviewed. Cir- culation is 300 copies. Printed by the Cartography Center of Lithuanian Military, Muitinės str.4, Domeikava, LT-54359 dist. Order GL-215.

2 Lithuanian Military Digest News

Relations with Poland is one of the main pillars of Lithuania’s defence

ecurity situation in our region re- mains unstable, for which reason mutual support between Lithua- "Snia and Poland and joint preparation for de- terrence and defence are vital," said Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas during the formal visit to . Minister A. Anušauskas met with Minister of National Defence of Poland Mariusz Błaszczak to dis- cuss bilateral cooperation, NATO and EU agendas, and regional security. "I very much welcome the second bila- teral Defence Council we have just had and the progress made on the priority areas of cooperation. Poland is a strategic partner to Lithuania. We are bound together not only by our shared history but also by shared se- curity challenges. Both, Poland and Lithua- nia see eye to eye on the security threats in the region and the measures necessary to counter them," Minister A. Anušauskas said after the meeting. The first time Lithuanian and Polish -De fence Ministers met in the format was last year in January in Vilnius. The Lithuanian- Polish Defence Council is held on the basis of a joint declaration of Presidents of Lithua- nia and Poland on partnership in the area of security which was signed on 21 February 2019. It lays out the agreement to join forces to achieve goals for regional se- curity bilaterally and in the formats of NATO and the EU. A. Anušauskas and M. Blaszczak also discussed further cooperation and practical aspects in the areas of defence planning, air defence, maritime awareness, acquisitions, and . Ministers agreed on the need for continued cooperation in the area and the critical importance of U.S. presence in the region to both countries. According to Minister A. Anušauskas, Lithuania and Poland have a shared ambi- tion of a persistent U.S. troop presence in the region. Lithuanian and Polish Ministers of Na- tional Defence solidified the closer coopera- tion between the countries with a signature of a joint communique. MoD information Photo credits: courtesy of the Ministry of National Defence of Poland

May 2021. No 5. 3 News

NATO defending Europe is a pipe dream

listic deterrent to Russian maneuvering in that theater and on the African continent. No more, America. If one were counting on successful diplo- matic interaction among NATO nations and , think again. To believe that successful diplomacy in Europe can ever be conducted unless buttressed by overwhelming military power, with the full understanding by all par- ticipants that force will be used if diplomacy fails, would also be fiction. In this context, U.S. diplomacy addressing military issues today has no teeth — little more than a fable, and worth- less versus Russian counterparts backed by powerful Russian forces. NATO, emasculated by the absence of U.S. military power poses no great threat to . Further to the matter, European and global stability was maintained before the Obama administration by a well-known national ca- pability: that the could conduct multiple wars simultaneously with assurance he book excerpt published in De- in a sequence, indisputably bolstering forward- of defeating the enemy in each. This made U.S. fense News’ April print edition, "Can based U.S. combat units. C-5 cargo aircraft, diplomacy possible and successful. NATO defend Europe? Can Europe essential to that reinforcement, were halved in No more. defendT Europe?," fails to focus on the reality operational numbers, and some key C-17 units Our withdrawal of forces from NATO has and urgency to reestablish credible collective providing strategic airlift had been inactivated. far greater global diplomatic implications, since security in Europe and maintain global stabili- Even if we had necessary forces to deploy it brought focus to the Obama administration’s ty. Hopefully the forthcoming book — "Future for NATO’s reinforcement, we now could not strategic "Pivot to Asia," factually an empty War and the Defence of Europe" by John R. Al- get them in sufficient strength to join the bat- monologue, as forces to be used to back U.S. len, Frederick Bed Hodges and Julian Lindley- tle, were Russian President Vladimir Putin to diplomatic efforts in Asia were as unimpressive French — does better. move quickly. as those at one time designated to reinforce First, believe this: NATO is no more. The Reinforcement of NATO by the United NATO. singular, powerful deterrent to Soviet aggres- States is now — to the European on the To this point, only restoration of previous sion in the ’70s, ’80s and through the first street — a credibility issue, hurled to the American military power to NATO will avert decade of 2000 is factually gone. Clearly, the front burner by Putin’s annexation of the future Russian aggression and restore our dip- name is there. Thirty nations subscribe and Crimean Peninsula; his threatening invasion lomatic credibility in Europe and worldwide. meet regularly in Brussels, but their collective of ; his $400 billion rearmament Reality is setting in, albeit far too late, that the security — the very purpose of the alliance — program; the demonstrated rapid deploy- "elephant in the room" is now Vladimir Putin was guaranteed by U.S. military power and U.S. ment of tactical forces to counter NATO and Russia; and the United States, with few military power alone. To believe otherwise is exercises; aircraft overflights challenging arrows left in its quiver — military or diplo- to believe fiction. That crucial underpinning is NATO nations’ airspace; and sightings of matic — has far less impact on historical out- now gone. Russian submarines loitering off Helsinki, comes in these regions than in earlier years. In Europe, troop strengths under the Obama . This in summation, then, is what is lacking administration declined by 85 percent since Today, our "real world" deployable ground in the book excerpt. Specifically missing is the the height of the Cold War, withdrawing com- force for reinforcing NATO consists of very clear and urgent sense that NATO today can bat-ready armor and infantry divisions poised limited combat-ready brigades, perhaps a not defend Europe, nor can Europe defend Eu- instantly to battle Soviet forces. Anti-armor single division, leaving Putin in a position to rope, unless changes are made reflecting attack and assault helicopters were removed, threaten , , Lithuania or Poland U.S. recommitment to the alliance in terms of to include U.S. A-10 attack aircraft at will and with total impunity, just as he did imbedding brute military power counterba- embedded to counter the ever-increasing tank when annexing two Georgian provinces in lancing Russia along her western borders, and forces of Soviet armies. 2009 and Crimea in 2014. restoring a diplomatic corps mirroring U.S. na- Of equal importance, the key to rapid re- Worth adding is that at one point in time, tional interests opposing Putin’s. inforcement of NATO was strategic airlift ca- U.S. military power in Europe could be rapidly ww.defensenews.com pable of inserting troops and weapons systems deployed to the Middle East and proved a rea- Photo credit: www.defensenews.com

4 Lithuanian Military Digest News

Germany expects 'wave' of new Eurotank partners

ermany — German defense officials Defense and Security Council meeting. The nations plan to hash out additional, expect to sign up new European Building a new tank for Europe is consid- high-tech features in a round of contracts in partners for the Franco-German ered here something of a home game for Ger- 2023, the document states. They are "bar- GMain Ground Combat System following a man industry, namely Rheinmetall and Krauss- rel-launched (non-) line-of-sight missile," September conference in Berlin devoted to the Maffei Wegmann, and lawmakers have been "high-energy laser system," "high-power effort, according to a government report to par- eager to keep tabs on the progress. ’s electromagnetics," "unmanned combat aerial liament. Nexter is also part of the team, under a joint vehicle" and "hyper velocity missile integra- The close-hold document, dated March venture with Krauss-Maffei, dubbed KNDS. tion." and obtained by Defense News, notes that That conglomerate was initially front and The government’s report responds to a re- the international event is meant to initiate an center on the MGCS program, though Rhein- quest by lawmakers for information about any "opening wave" of interested countries from metall has since managed to snag a supporting information relating to the MGCS program the , NATO and elsewhere — role. and another Franco-German effort, the Future provided that Germany and France agree on The effort is among a raft of planned invest- Combat Air System. Lawmakers in both coun- the prerequisites. ments that have yet to be anchored in the Ger- tries have been eager to carve out the largest One known applicant for the new tank prog- man government’s budget plans, however. The possible piece of industrial participation for ram is the . In April, Germany defense ministry plans to request lawmakers’ their national companies. officials made a point of saying that defense- approval to proceed in the last week of June, Officials largely dismissed a question by acquisition leaders from Berlin and days before the parliamentary recess. lawmakers about coupling the two high-profile had discussed cooperation on the program, According to the report to the Bundestag, programs to achieve a parallel time line. The ap- with France still seemingly on the fence about contracts in eight development areas are up proaches, technologies and industrial context admitting outsiders. for funding later this year: "mobility test bed," are simply too different, they argued. Still, Ber- Still, agreed in principle with the idea "main effector, ammunition and turret," "over- lin considers its industrial stake in both prog- of extending the circle of observer countries, all protection," "collaborative combat," "simula- rams by closely coordinating across relevant which could lead to selected countries be- tion test bed for crews," "automated navigation agencies. coming full partners later on, the report notes, and mobility," "automated fire sequence" and www.defensenews.com citing the outcome of a Feb. 5 German-French "improved sensor suite." Photo credit: www.defensenews.com

May 2021. No 5. 5 News

No one will win the competition in the High North

or thousands of years, the magnetic published eye-popping commercial satellite 6 million square miles of ice this time of year, allure of the North Pole has drawn imagery of the Russian Arctic military buildup, 6-10 feet thick at the North Pole. If that all be- explorers, pulled along on everything a network of bases that allegedly include ad- comes open ocean, it means an unstoppable Ffrom dogsleds to dirigibles in search of adven- vanced capabilities, such as hypersonic missiles worst-case scenario, with significant global ture, riches, passage between Europe and Asia, and unmanned stealth torpedoes. At the same sea level rise and highly disrupted worldwide and geopolitical advantage. Today, that dream time, has made clear its claims to the re- weather patterns, from drought to catastrophic of a transpolar connection is finally in reach gion, declaring itself a "Near-Arctic State" with storms. as the ice retreats — and it’s spawning a new designs on regional resources. The two coun- Even the climate change impacts already in "great game" between nations over Arctic pree- tries are increasingly locking arms, economi- the Arctic are incurring big, localized costs. The minence. cally and strategically. relocation of just one Yup’ik village in Newtok, There’s just one problem: Climate change The United States has been slower to ramp Alaska, for example, will cost an estimated means this is ultimately a geopolitical contest up tangible, costly military investments in the $100 million. Melting permafrost in Russia no one is going to win, regardless of any invest- region, but it is starting to make up for lost contributed to the rupture of a fuel storage tank ment in military materiel. time. All of the U.S. military departments now in 2020, with cleanup costs likely to exceed $2 It’s easy to see why strategists and nation- have their own Arctic strategies, and there’s billion. Siberia saw record wildfires and heat- states are so enamored when it comes to the funding for icebreakers; intelligence, surveil- waves in 2019 and 2020. Changing conditions showdown in the High North. This is a clean- lance and reconnaissance assets; training are affecting fish and wildlife populations, sheet, geostrategic landscape — a place that and exercises; and possibly ports and bases. which could prove devastating for the regional went from a focus on scientific cooperation to The recent announcement of a planned U.S.- economy and existential for indigenous com- a contest between autocracy and democracy in Canadian transit of a U.S. Coast Guard vessel munities. a decade. through the Northwest Passage — previously The Arctic, which is warming at least twice This is not to say the Arctic Circle was emp- a flashpoint — suggests a return to relying on as fast as the rest of the globe, is an early warn- ty before it started to heat up: There are indi- allies and partners for security cooperation ing system for devastation. genous communities with thousands of years as well. And while some NATO partners and From that point of view, the most important of history in the region, and countries such as Nordic nations have generally tried to straddle strategic gain for the High North is ultimately and Russia with long Arctic coastlines the strategic and commercial, keeping an even not about icebreakers, missiles or Greenland’s that are relatively more inhabitable and navi- keel with their Russian neighbors and Chinese rare earth mines. Rather, it is all about cutting gable. It was also a theater in the Cold War for investors, provocative moves in the region and greenhouse gas emissions at home and work- Soviet and American nuclear forces. elsewhere, such as Ukraine and the South Chi- ing with other countries to adapt, innovate Today, however, proximity is not just for na Sea, are making that hedge harder. and transform the global economy. In the near long-range weapons. Access, borders and re- The Arctic, defined by cooperation for -de term, it may be that investments in military ca- sources — including the critical minerals that cades, seems destined for more militarization. pabilities and presence are an unavoidable part will fuel the 21st century "clean" energy transi- On the other hand, if the North Pole has of the rebalance of power in the Arctic, but it tion — are coveted and need defending, really melted enough that all of this bristling com- will all be moot without progress on climate for the first time in human history. petition is truly relevant in the so-called Blue change. And the nations of the region are respond- Arctic, then there are bigger problems afoot. www.defensenews.com ing, none more so than Russia. CNN recently Historically, the Arctic Ocean is covered by Photo credit: www.defensenews.com

6 Lithuanian Military Digest News Funding Europe's next-gen fighter erman defense leaders have admit- industry teams for various components, in- "Normally, such a proposal would never ted there is no firm financing plan cluding an engine for the centerpiece fighter make it here," said a Bundestag aide, adding for the Future Combat Air System, aircraft as well as sensors, drones and stealth that the tactic of submitting unfunded prog- Gbut they still plan to submit the project to law- technology. rams could serve to pressure the Finance Mi- makers for approval soon. Disagreements between Dassault and Air- nistry headed by Olaf Scholz, a Social Demo- At issue are the next phases for the Ger- bus over work share and the handling of in- crat who was just named his party’s man-Franco-Spanish, next-generation fighter tellectual property rights slowed progress in candidate for the Sept. 26 general election. aircraft, dubbed 1B and 2. The decision to pro- recent months, though recent reports suggest German finance officials flagged several ceed marks something of a point of no return there is a deal within reach. The dispute extends outstanding hurdles in a report on FCAS to given the billions of euros to be pumped into to lower-tier teaming arrangements as well as lawmakers earlier this year. For one, a French flyable prototypes. negotiations between governments. Most re- request to except certain French intellectual In a May 7 letter to lawmakers, German De- cently, engine-makers Safran Aircraft Engines, property concessions, classified as "specific fence Ministry leaders sketched out a sporty MTU Aero Engines and ITP Aero announced foreground information," from the overall shar-

timeline for presenting a signature-ready deal they had sorted out their disagreements. ing architecture had raised eyebrows in Berlin to parliament, a mandatory step before money Germany’s iffy defense budget projections and Madrid. The dispute likely would not be can start flowing. The idea is to send the pro- add to the uncertainty surrounding the prog- completely resolved before the end of May, the posal to the relevant Bundestag committees ram. Defense officials have all but thrown up March report read, adding that France had yet for review in the last week before the summer their hands when it comes to getting key prog- to spell out its specific reasoning at the time. recess, the week of June 21. The timing is criti- rams included in the budget in the short term. In addition, industry offers had come in at cal because once parliament goes out of ses- After that, all bets are off, as government ana- 25 percent above the budget ceiling of €2.5 sion, the following six months, at least, will be lysts expect the modernization requirements to billion (U.S. $3 billion) agreed by the partner consumed by the September national election outpace available spending after 2022. nations for program stages 1B and 2, the Fi- and the ensuing formation of a new govern- Large projects like FCAS typically come nance Ministry report stated. The companies ment. with considerable uncertainty built in, but Ger- also were expecting to receive "significant" ad- The setup of the FCAS construct is com- man lawmakers typically force the government ditional services from the nations as in-kind plicated enough: Berlin, Paris and Madrid to show its hand at key junctures before cutting contributions, it added. endeavor to build a sixth-generation fighter any checks. The May 7 missive to parliament The three governments had yet to speak to aircraft on equal terms. Each country brings about FCAS and other funding plans includes the possibility of a budget increase as a result of a national industry champion — Airbus De- only a generic reference — "federal budget" — "high industry demands" at the time, according fence and Space, Dassault and Indra, respec- in places where programs are supposed to be to the March document. tively — which also are meant to cooperate on delineated to specific line items in the defense www.defesenews.com equal terms. Below that, there are trinational budget nomenclature. Photo credit: www.defensenews.com

May 2021. No 5. 7 News The northern bear: How is the Kremlin getting along with its neighbors?

field in Laos, but Defense News was unable to independently verify this claim. Mikhail Barabanov, a military expert with the Russian think tank Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, told Defense News that the report was "overblown" by the media. According to his estimates, Russian is simply participating in the reconstruction of a Laotian airfield. Russia’s relationship in Laos is critical to "because the Chinese influence there is growing, and Russia doesn’t want to stay away from that race," an analyst connected with the Kremlin told Defense News. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not au- thorized to speak publicly on the matter.

THE VIETNAMESE MARKET Vietnam is another country playing an im- portant role in Russian military cooperation in the region. In 2019, Hanoi bought 12 Rus- hina remains the biggest buyer of from its territory. Laos was heavily bombed sian Yak-130 jets for $350 million. The coun- Russian weapons in Southeast Asia, by the U.S. as part of an anti-communist cam- try remains among the top buyers of Russian but Moscow is increasing military paign. Russia previously built a de-mining cen- arms, and then-Deputy Director of Rosobo- Cties with other countries. ter in the country to educate local personnel. ronexport Alexander Mikhyev, who is now the Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar are among As further proof of the strong relationship, director general, said at that time that "despite those nations that are eyeing closer military Laotian Minister of Public Words and Trans- the growing competition, our models are still cooperation with Russia. This includes the pur- port Sommad Pholsena in 2017, acting in the a priority." chase of jets, radars and drones as well as co- role at the time, to visited Crimea — territory But experts from the Valdai Discussion operation in bilateral military exercises. seized from Ukraine by Russia and annexed in Club, a government-connected foreign policy Here’s a closer look at how the relationships March 2014. think tank, found in 2019 that Russia "is gradu- are evolving. Citing Chinese sources, Russian media has ally losing its quasi-monopoly position in the also reported Moscow is building a military air- Vietnamese arms market” due to competition JOINT EXERCISES Laos, which for years had a close relation- ship with the , recently took steps to further improve military ties with the Rus- sian Federation. The two countries plan to conduct a bilateral military exercises in Russia, called Laros-2021. The first Russia-Laos mili- tary exercises were held in 2019 in Laos. A spokesman for Russia’s Eastern Military District, Alexander Gordeyev, told Tass news agency in mid-April that the upcoming joint exercise will involve tanks and focus on the counterterrorism mission. The negotiations involved in scheduling the drill was conducted between officials from both countries in the Eastern Military District, based in . The Russian military is currently helping Laos remove mines and unexploded ordnance

8 Lithuanian Military Digest News

from European Union countries and . The in light of Su-35 issues with Indonesia. For its Federal Customs Service, cited by Russian experts recommended Russia provide a "more part, Indonesia was considering purchasing the media organization RBC, sales of Russian flexible price policy" and increase the quality of Russian jets, but Western media has reported weapons declined 15.6 percent in 2020 from post-sale service. the island nation is backing down due to Ame- the year prior. rican pressure. SIGNS OF COOPERATION Barabanov described both Malaysia and In- AN UNNECESSARY UNION Meanwhile, in Myanmar, where the mili- donesia as "unstable" partners for Russia due to Compared to other regional relations, Sino- tary recently ousted the civilian government their "constant change of orientations and ex- Russian military cooperation looks hassle-free. and has killed hundreds of people amid pro- treme variegation of military equipment." China is the second-largest foreign customer tests, there are signs of military cooperation Jakarta and Moscow had planned to sign of Russian weapons after Algeria. But the pan- with Russia; this, despite the Russian Foreign a declaration toward a strategic partnership, demic has upended military sales to Beijing, Ministry expressing "concern" over the situa- which would have increased military ties, the Fomin told government-run news organization tion. plan was canceled as a consequence of the Rossiyskaya Gazeta. Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin COVID-19 pandemic. Both countries "conduct technological ex- visited the country February and took part in a According to statistics from the Russian changes" in the military sphere, Russian Presi- military organized by the junta leaders. dent Vladimir Putin said in October 2020. But Fomin oversees military-technical cooperation while he said he could "theoretically" imagine in the ministry. He previously led the Federal a military union between China and Russia, Service of Military-Technical Cooperation. both countries "do not need it." In January, the month before the military MGIMO University’s Andrei Bezrukov, a coup, the government of Myanmar signed a professor and former Russian intelligence of- contract with Russia to purchase Orlan-10 ficer, said in March on a local television show drones, Pantsir anti-aircraft systems and radar that some Russian elite do not want to see a systems. The two countries have not signed ad- close union with China. Dmitry Kosyrev, an ditional contracts since. independent China expert, said the professor was likely referring to pro-Western Russians. MALAYSIA AND INDONESIA Echoing Bezrukov’s comments, Kosyrev In democratically governed Malaysia, Rus- called Sino-Russia military relations an "allian- sian relations continue to suffer since 2018, ce without obligations." He noted that the na- when Malaysian officials complained to Russia ture of their bilateral military cooperation has that they were experiencing technical problems changed drastically over the years. with 18 Su-30MKM jets bought in mid-2000. "In the 1990s, our military-industrial com- For now, Kuala Lumpur doesn’t plan to pur- plex was using China to survive," he said. "But chase additional military jets from Russia until today we are cooperating in strategic things. 2030. We are not afraid that weapons we sell to China Barabanov, of the CAST think tank, told can be used against us." Defense News that Malaysia is likely wary of www.defensenews.com making large aircraft purchases from Russia Photo credit: www.defensenews.com

May 2021. No 5. 9 In short

LIGHT TANKS IN THE LITHUANIAN ARMED FORCES (1924–1940)

AT THE END OF AND AFTER THE , MANY STATES BEGAN TO CONSTRUCT TANKS ACCORDING TO AMERICAN, ENGLISH, AND FRENCH EXAMPLES. IN THE TANKS WERE PRODUCED BY THE GREAT BRITAIN, , , JAPAN, USA, FRANCE, THE SOVIET UNION, AND GERMANY. AT THAT TIME LITHUANIA WAS NOT AN EXCEPTION — THE COUNTRY PURCHASED TANKS FROM ABROAD, MAINLY FROM FRANCE AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND INCLUDED THEM INTO ITS ARMAMENT.

THE LITHUANIAN TANK UNIT n January 1, 1924 the Formation of ar- mored vehicles of the Lithuanian Armed Forces was created. It consisted of an armoredI car squadron, an armored train batta- lion and a battalion of tanks. In August 1923, twelve not new (with marks of bullets) light tanks Renault FT-17 from France were bought for the Lithuanian tank battalion. They were repaired and armed in Kaunas cannons and weapons repair shop. After the first tests and inspections they were assigned to the tank unit in May 17, 1924. The tank unit at first was deployed in Kaunas, Aukštoji Freda district, and since Au- gust 21, 1935 — in Radviliškis (in September 1937 the unit was moved to brand camp). However, smaller tank combat units usually were assigned to larger military units to per- form various functions, so they were relocated from time to time. Lithuanian light tanks "Slibinas/Dragon", "Kerštas/Revenge", "Audra/Storm" (model Renault FT-17, France). A. Freda, Kaunas, 1924. VDKM photo sets, Fa-17699/491. LIGHT TANK RENAULT FT-17 At first the tank unit of the Lithuanian Armed Forces was composed of French light tanks Renault FT-17. The Renault FT-17 (fre- quently referred to in post-World War I lite- rature as the FT-17) was a French light tank that was among the most revolutionary and influential tank designs in history. The FT-17 was the first production tank to have its arma- ment within a fully rotating turret. The Renault FT's configuration (crew compartment at the front, engine compartment at the back, and main armament in a revolving turret) became and remains the standard tank layout. Conse- quently, some historians of armoured warfare have called the Renault FT the world's first modern tank. Tanks in Lithuania already were repaired, armed and painted in a brownish-green matte color. On the sides of the fighting vehicles there were their names, signs of Vytis (Lithuanian coat of arms) and numbers written. Light tanks Renault FT-17 (France) during test drives. A. Freda, Kaunas, 1924. VDKM photo sets, Name of the Lithuanian tanks: "Kovas/ Fa-17699/499. March" (KAM Nr. 1), "Karžygys/The War-

10 Lithuanian Military Digest In short

rior" (KAM Nr. 2), "Kerštas" (KAM Nr. 3), LIGHT TANK RENAULT FT-17: TECHNICAL DATA "Drąsuolis" (KAM Nr. 4), "Galiūnas" (KAM Nr. 5), "Griaustinis/Thunder" (KAM Nr. 6), "Pikuolis" (KAM Nr. 7), "Giltinė/The Reaper" (KAM Nr. 8), "Slibinas/The dragon" (KAM Nr. 9), "Smūgis/Hit" (KAM Nr. 10), "Pagieža/ Malice" (KAM Nr. 11), "Audra/Storm" (KAM Nr. 12).

In service 1917–1949 Designed 1916 Variants Char canon Char mitrailleuse FT 75 BS Char signal FT modifié 31 US M1917 Russkiy Reno Specifications Mass 6.5 tonnes (6.4 long tons; 7.2 short tons) Length 5.00 m (16 ft 5 in) Width 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) Height 2.14 m (7 ft 0 in) Crew 2 (commander, driver)

Armor 8 to 22 mm (0.31 to 0.87 in) Main armament Puteaux SA 1918 37 mm gun or 8 mm Hotchkiss Reibel machine gun (FT 31) Engine Renault 4-cyl, 4.5 litre, thermo-siphon water-cooled; Gasoline (petrol) pump; Engine oil pump; Zenith preset carburettor; Magneto ignition 39 hp (29 kW) at 1500rpm Power/weight 5 hp/t (3.7 kW/t) Transmission sliding gear; four speeds forward, one reverse. One main clutch plus two subsidiary clutches (one for each of the two tracks) used for steering the tank. Suspension vertical springs Fuel capacity 95 l (about 8 hours) Operational range 60 km (37 mi) Maximum speed 7 km/h (4.3 mph)

May 2021. No 5. 11 In short

VICKERS-CARDEN-LOYD LIGHT AMPHIBIOUS TANK: TECHNICAL DATA

Type Amphibious tank Place of origin United Kingdom Production history Designer Carden-Loyd Tractors Ltd. Manufacturer Vickers-Armstrong Produced 1931–1932 Specifications (A4E11, A4E12) Mass 2.17 long tons (2.20 t) Length 13 ft 4 in (4.06 m) Width 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) over tracks Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Crew 2

Armour 11 mm (0.43 in) Main armament 0.303 inch Vickers machine gun with 1,000 rounds Engine Meadows petrol 6-cylinder 90 bhp Suspension Horstmann Operational range 100 mi (160 km) Maximum speed 27 mph (43 km/h) on road; 3.72 mph (5.99 km/h) in water

Vickers-Carden-Loyd M1933 ​​(the Great Britain) light tank of the 2nd Tank Company, surrounded by soldiers. About 1935–1938. A. Procenka collection.

12 Lithuanian Military Digest In short

VICKERS-CARDEN-LOYD LIGHT AMPHIBIOUS TANK When light tanks Renault FT-17 lost their combat power and became "old fashioned", the Lithuanian Armed forces in 1934 and 1937 bought 30 tanks of the new generation — Vick- ers Carden Loyd from the United Kingdom. The Vickers-Carden-Loyd light amphi- bious tank was a series of British experimental pre-World War II light tanks (resembling tan- kettes), which, although not taken into British service, were sold to a number of other count- ries which produced modified versions which were then taken into service. The Vickers-Carden-Loyd Light Amphi- bious Tanks, with two variants designated A4E11 and A4E12 by the British War Office, were tractor-based tankettes designed to be able to travel across calm waters at the speed of about 6 km per hour. In June 7, 1935 the 1st tank company was formed, and in November 1, 1937 the 2nd tank company was formed. So in 1938 January there were three tank companies and one train- ing platoon in the tank unit of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Vickers Carden Loyd tanks didn’t have names and were marked only with numbers.

DESTRUCTION OF THE TANK UNIT In 1939 the Lithuanian Armed Forces planned to increase the number of tanks and troops in order to have at least 4 tank compa- nies, but the Soviet occupation in 1940 year changed everything. In June 15 the of the Soviet Union crossed the border of the Republic of Lithua- nia. In that time the Lithuanian Armed Forces didn’t receive an order to defend the country from its military and political leadership. Soon Vickers-Carden-Loyd M1933 ​​light tank (the Great Britain) overcome a water barrier. it was transformed into the People Army and About 1935–1940, Lithuania. LCVA Fs P-11730. integrated into the Red Army of the Soviet Union. The tank unit was transformed into the 615th Artillery Regiment of the 29th Corpus of the Red Army. Some light tanks were used, and unnecessary were just destroyed.

Source: Album Light Tanks in the Lithuanian Armed Forces 1924–1940, Ministry of Defence of Lithuania, 2015, Vilnius.

May 2021. No 5. 13 NATO's presence NATO Air Policing Mission detachments changed over CAPABILITIES DEPLOYED BY NATO ALLIES TO THE MAIN OPERATING BASE, ŠIAULIAI AIR FORCE BASE, TO CARRY OUT BALTIC AIR POLICING MISSION TASKS CHANGED OVER AT A FORMAL CEREMONY ON APRIL 29: FIGHTER DETACHMENT OF THE HANDED OVER THE MISSION TO THE .

are thankful to the Vice Minister of National Defence Margiris Estonia will never wane out," Vice Minister soldiers of Italy for Abukevičius said in the welcome address. said. having completed the "The NATO Air Policing Mission is not a The hand over — take over ceremony was "NATO We mission with great professionalism, it peacetime mission alone. It is also an obvious attended by the country Ambassadors, Major was a success despite the global pandemic. To- example of NATO readiness to defence this General Claudio Gabellini, Commander De- day we extend a warm welcome to the newly sector of the Alliance. The allied force presence ployable Air Operations Centre, on behalf of deployed soldiers of , may the Baltic skies here is a sign of Alliance-wide unity, stability, NATO AIRCOM, Commander of the Lithua- be clear and safe for you. Thank you for your defence and deterrence. The importance of the nian Air Force Col Dainius Guzas, and other dedication to safeguarding the Baltic security," Air Policing Mission to Lithuania, Latvia and honorable guests.

For four months, Šiauliai Air Base will be the temporary home for a Ejército del Aire (Spanish Air Force) Eurofighter Typhoon detachment. From May to the end of August they will safeguard the airspace leading NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission here.

14 Lithuanian Military Digest NATO's presence

SPANISH DETACHMENT ACCOMPLISHES FIRST ALERT SCRAMBLE IN BALTIC AIR POLICING

In the morning of May 11, the Span- ish Air Force Eurofighter detachment deployed at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, leading NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mis- The pilot of an Ejército del Aire (Spanish Air Force) Eurofighter Typhoon climbing out of his cockpit at Šiauliai Air Base after the deployment flight to Lithuania. sion, executed their first intercept after an alert launch since they arrive in early May. Spain will be providing security to the air- September. Last time safeguarded the The Combined Air Operations Centre at space of the three Baltic states for four months, Baltic airspace was during its deployment to Uedem, Germany, ordered the Eurofighters with as many as seven Eurofighter Typhoon Šiauliai in 2006. to take off and identify an aircraft track -fly fighter jets this time. Under command of Lt Fighter aircraft conducting the mission fly ing in the Baltic Sea from mainland Russia to Col Bayardo Abos Alvarez-Buiza, the Air Force sorties to identify and intercept Russian air- the exclave. The Spanish NATO Detachment will conduct the eighth NATO Air craft: most often such aircraft fly without the aircraft approached and identified a Russian Policing Mission in the Baltic states of Spain. pre-filed flight plans, do not maintain radio An-72 transport aircraft. Flying over interna- The Spanish Air Force took over the mission communication and do not switch on their on- tional waters close to the Lithuanian coast from the Italian Air Force after two consecutive board transponders — against the Internatio- the Russian plane was not on a flight plan four-month rotations conducted with four Eu- nal Civil Aviation Organization recommended and not sending a transponder signal causing rofighter Typhoons with since September. Italy practices. a potential risk to other airspace users. Upon will still be providing augmentation of the mis- The NATO Air Policing Mission in the Bal- completing the identification, the Spanish sion from the Amari Air Base in Estonia with tic states has been conducted unceasingly since fighter aircraft returned to Siauliai Air Base. 5th generation F-35s. 2004. The Spanish Air Force took over the lead This rotation of the NATO Air Policing of NATO’s Air Policing in the Baltic region Mission will be enhanced by Turkey: the F-16s Ministry of Defence of Lithuania inf. on May 1. With the detachment’s first alert of its Air Force will be deployed to the Polish Photo credits: Alfredas Pliadis/MoD, Spanish scramble the Spanish team demonstrated Air Force Base in Marlbork from mid-May to Air Porce, NATO their readiness underscoring the Alliance’s vigilance across the airspace above of all NATO allies.

NATO Allied Air Command inf.

Two Ejército del Aire (Spanish Air Force) Eurofighter Typhoons receiving fuel from an Aeronautica Militare KC-767 air-to-air refuelling aircraft during their deployment flight to Lithuania.

May 2021. No 5. 15 NATO's presence

The nd2 mission in Lithuania LANCE CORPORAL ANDRÉ W. DRIVES AND OPERATES A TANK CONTAINER OF THE SUPPORT COMPANY OF THE NATO ENHANCED FORWARD PRESENCE BATTLE GROUP LITHUANIA — THE TROOPS JUST CAN'T FIGHT WITHOUT HIS ASSISTANCE. ALSO HE IS FOR THE 2ND TIME IN LITHUANIA AND ALREADY HAS COMPLETED 6 FOREIGN DEPLOYMENTS.

16 Lithuanian Military Digest NATO's presence

How long are you serving in the Bun- Rajlovac in 2006 and in Lithuania/ in What are your best memories from your deswehr? 2018 and 2021. I don't think that the mis- first mission in Lithuania? This is the second time I have served in the sions have changed me negatively in my pri- I have to look back at the year 2018: The trips . My first period of service was vate and professional life. Of course, things to the castle in in winter — the lake from 2002 to 2006. From 2007 to 2016 I was a that I experienced and saw were not always was frozen over and we walked across the ice reservist, and then I decided to enlist again for nice, but you should not take such things to the castle — I had never done that before. the second time from 2017 to 2032. home with you. All in all, I can look back on In March 2018, I was allowed to visit a basket- positive experiences and would always vo- ball game in Kaunas with another comrade. Why did you decide to become a soldier? lunteer again in the future if my wife would Towards the end of the mission in July 2018, I have always wanted to do something good allow me. we were allowed to go to Klaipėda, where we for people in some way. I also wanted to have visited the old town and the beautiful harbour a varied job, which I have now found with the You are for the second time in Lithua- for a day trip and, of course, enjoyed the local Bundeswehr. nia. Can you compare these two deploy- cuisine very much — these were my three best ments? memories of my first mission in Lithuania. What is the best thing about your job? I have to say that I was lucky enough to be You get to see a lot in the foreign missions of deployed twice with the same function as What are your main tasks in Lithuania now? the Bundeswehr and you are often on training a dangerous goods driver tanker and there I'm assigned to the Support Company in the courses. In fact travelling makes me happy. were no differences in my work. I got around material management platoon as a dangerous a lot, I was on every training ground and my goods driver for the mobile fuel station in the Could you tell more about your deploy- six months in Lithuania flew by. The only fuel group. Together with the Support Com- ments abroad? thing different is that this time I am here with pany we supply the fighting troops with fuel. I was deployed a total of six times during another company, but the missions is mostly my service: Four times I had to leave and the same, i.e. to show presence to NATO al- Thank you for the interview. two times I volunteered. I was deployed to lies, to work and train together in a multina- /Prizren in 2004 and 2007, I was tional environment, which strengthens the By Ilona Skujaitė in /Kabul in 2005, in Bosnia/ cohesion. Photo credits: PAO of NATO eFP BG Lithuania

May 2021. No 5. 17 The discount is applicable only upon presentation of a service National Defence System employees card.Special (soldiers, civil servants and employees Conditions and applicable discounts may change. working under an employment contract) There are additional conditions. * Expositions are free of charge to the Lithuanian Soldiers of the Permanent Mandatory (LMA)** cadets, Permanent Mandatory Initial Military Service (PMIMS) Initial Military Service soldiers serving in the LMA, and soldiers from the Gediminas Headquar- ters Battalion (GHB). Coordinate with the regional and recruiting service de- Members of the Lithuanian partment.*** Riflemen’s Union Due to a match of the football club “Atlantas” coordinate with the Grand Duke**** Butigeidis Dragoon Battalion's S5 division of the Bri- Lithuanian soldiers gade “Samogitia”. Due to a match of the basketball club “Neptūnas” coordinate with the National Defence Volunteer Force’s S5 division of the Samogitia district 3rd team. Due to a match of the football club “Sūduva” coordinate with the Lithu- Soldiers of the National Defence Volun- anian Grand Duke Vytenis General Support Logistics Battalion’s S5 division. teer Forces ***** The discount is applicable to persons who serve or have served in the Lithuanian Armed Forces, also to those who are in the prepared personnel NATO soldiers reserve of the Lithuanian Armed Forces (for the entire study period both for the first and second cycle studies). The discount is applicable on February 16, March 11, July 6, and Negotiation issues November****** 23.

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Basketball Club "NEPTŪNAS" Free **** Ecological Clothing Cleaning "CLEAN GREEN" www.bcneptunas.lt www.cleangreen.lt May 2021. No15% 5. 19 Special LITHUANIAN MILITARY HEROES STILL WALK AMOUNG US LIEUTENANT-GENERAL RICHARD F. NATONSKI, U.S. MARINE CORPS, RETIRED, IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF HOW THE CHILD WITH A MIXED POLISH-LITHUANIAN HERITAGE BECOME ONE OF THE TRULY GREAT AMERICANS.

the future. Since then I was helping my friend that consists of between 60,000 to 70,000 take his display items back to his car, I just fighting men. stuck Richard’s business card into my pocket Since that chance show meeting, I have without looking at it. spoken to General Natonski on a number of That night at home, I took out Richard’s occasions, which have included very aspects business card and actually read it for the first about his distinguished military career and time. It was a typical small white business family roots. Those conversations have inclu- card, which simply read Richard F. Natons- ded stories about his early Polish and Lithua- ki, Lieutenant-General, United States Ma- nian families, which caused me to again to rine Corps, Retired. I immediately called the ponder the meaning of nationality. Although friend I was helping with his display items at I am a full-blooded Lithuanian-American, my the show and asked him what he knew about Stepfather was a Polish American, my sister Richard. Although, he had met Richard on is a half-Polish and half-Lithuanian, my wife a number of occasions in the past, he never half-Polish, and my own daughter half Polish knew anything about him other than he col- and Lithuanian. One of my closest life-long lected military headgear items. Needless to friends and the Best man at my wedding was a say, Richard is not a pretentious individual Polish-American. I served in the military and and prides himself with being a typical over the years have worked closely with many Lieutenant-General Richard F. Natonski U.S. American. For our readers who might not Polish-Americans. Although, I take great pride Marine Corps, Retired be knowledgeable about military rank, Ri- in my own Lithuanian roots, I have always had chard served as a Lieutenant-General, which a great respect and affection for Poland and UNEXPECTED ACQUAINTANCE is second only the American Commanding Polish Americans. This article is written to WITH THE GENERAL General of a military branch of service. Tra- recount the life of a great American military ast fall, I attended a Virginia Military ditionally, an American Lieutenant-General hero lest we forget that he like many of us Collector’s Show and chose to wear commands three military combat division shared a Polish-Lithuanian Family history. my Lithuanian Volunteer’s military Lwindbreaker with Savanorių unit patch and Lietuva and Lithuanian tri-color flag sleeve flashes. While helping a friend unload his display items in the parking lot another car pulled up and parked next to us. An older gentleman got out of the car and upon see- ing my jacked inquired if I was a Lithuanian? I proudly acknowledge that I was, to which the individual identified himself as Richard Natonski and advised he was half-Polish and half-Lithuanian. After exchanging a few intro- ductory pleasantries, Richard help us carry the display item into show auditorium. While at the show, I had several short conversations with Richard, but the crowed nature of the show prevented any log discussions. During those brief discussions, I learned that Richard was one of the typical military veterans that frequented such show and he had a great in- terest in Polish-Lithuanian history. Before separating, we exchanged business cards so that we might be able to contact each other in Lieutenant-General Richard F. Natonski in , 2004

20 Lithuanian Military Digest Special

POLISH AND LITHUANIAN few contend that they had not changed, but just lation immigration to the US. Joseph arrived in AMERICANS IN THE USA harkened back to their old Polish-Lithuanian the United States at Ellis Island, via , Lithuanian-Americans tend to take pride Commonwealth way of thinking. , in 1910. His future Polish wife Sophia in the accomplishments of their kinsmen, but Richard F. Natonski, also arrived at Ellis Island in 1911. There is no General Natonski because of his Polish sur- U.S. Marine Corps, Retired, is an excellent doubt that they were among the thousands of name is virtually unknown within the com- example of how the child with a mixed Polish- immigrants who came to America dreaming of munity. For better or worse, the Western World Lithuanian heritage become one of the truly making a better new life. As typical new arriving traditionally attribute nationality to one’s pa- great Americans. immigrants Amsterdam, New York, both quick- ternal or father’s side of a family and generally ly went to work in low-paying jobs in that city’s gives little notice to one’s maternal or mother’s GALICIA — THE NATIVE REGION Bigelow-Sanford Carpet Company, which was roots. For this reason, most people automati- OF NATONSKY FAMILY one of the nation’s largest rug producing fac- cally assume the General is Polish. This was Richard Natonski was born in Amsterdam, tory. Joseph who worked there as a rug weaver not a problem in the ancient Polish-Lithuanian New York, to Frank Joseph Natonski and Sadie and Sophia as a spinner, soon meet, fell in love, Commonwealth, where Poles and C. Natonski, nee Strenges. He was the grand- and were married. They were married on Janu- consider themselves to have a common natio- child of Polish and Lithuanian immigrants and ary 29, 1916, in Amsterdam, New York. Their nality, even though they were two different eth- lived most of his early formative years in Polish first son, John was born on November 24, 1916, nic peoples. Although a Polish — Lithuanian and American communities in New York and followed by Stephen who was born on June 19, rivalry has existed throughout history, these 1919. Initially, they were renters, but by 1930 two ethnic peoples shared a common history, the family had managed to purchase their own religion, and traditions. home located at 90 Sanford Avenue. The family This shared Polish — Lithuanian history, would thereafter live out the rest of their years religion, and traditions kinship was brought there as a typical Polish immigrant family. Likes to America by our early immigrant ancestors. most immigrates, they had happy and sad times, Since the Poles generally started arrived in the but succeeded in raising three great American U.S. earlier then the Lithuanians, it was only sons. Each had long life, with Joseph passing natural for the latter arriving Lithuanians to away in May and Sophia in August 1984. initially settle among the Poles and attend their The American born Frank Natonski grew in churches. As a result, Poles and Lithuanians a typical Depression era mill town, where he tended to work in the same professions and attend both grade and high school. Graduating lived in the same communities with virtually from Wilbur Lynch High School in the middle no problems. Just like in the old country, their of the Depression, he was unable to find a job young people socially mixed and many inter- and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps married resulting in their children being both (CCC). After training, he was assigned to the Polish and Lithuanian. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming area, Unfortunately, this centuries old friend- where he continued to work until 1940 when ship between Poles and Lithuanian changed he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. While ser- at the end of World War I, when the national Ludovikas Zalimas from Gelvonai District in ving in a Marine unit, Frank sus- former , Lithuania, with his leaders became engaged in a bloody civil war daughter Eva Zalimas. tained an injury, which ended his military ca- like struggle largely over territory. Sadly, that reer. During World War II years, Frank worked foreign struggle was soon spread to America Connecticut. Frank was born on January 10, as a civilian aircraft mechanic for the U.S. Navy causing many Polish and Lithuanian Ameri- 1921, in Amsterdam, N.Y., to Josef Natonski, at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. After the war, Frank cans to having to choose sides. Church congre- who was born on March 21, 1893, in Austro- returned home and began working at the Ge- gations, communities, and even families where Poland and Sophia Natonska, nee Slauski neral Electric’s Flight Test Operation Center torn apart. Still, many Polish and Lithuanian (Slauska) born November 6, 1894 in Poland. in Schenectady, N.Y. Shortly later he met and Americans choose not to get involved in this Although specific information is lacking, they married his future wife. foreign struggle. Living and working together, both appear to have both come from typical their shared traumatic immigration period, peasant farming families. Josef who soon ad- LITHUANIAN ROOTS OF THE fighting side by side during the Great War, opted the English name Joseph upon arriving GENERAL’S MOTHER and struggling to survive the Great Depres- in America apparently came from the eastern On December 6, 1946, Frank married Sadie sion years, made many Poles and Lithuanians part of Poland known as Galicia. Galicia was C. Strenges in Amsterdam, New York. Sadie to look upon themselves as Americans. O’ the part of Poland annexed by Austria following was born on April 6, 1917, in the Averill Park yes, each continue to take pride in their own the dismemberment of the Polish-Lithuanian section of Amsterdam, New York, to Stanislaw ethnic heritage, but that rivalry was generally Commonwealth. Since the local inhabitants Strungis and Eva Strenges, nee Salinas, who confined to such things as arguments over who remained largely Polish, the Germanic or Hun- were both Lithuanian immigrants. Stanislaw worked the hardest, had the prettiest women, garian leaders of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was born on May 8, 1888, in the small farming were the best cooks, and had the best athletes. had little interest in economically improving village of Bagaslaviškis in Širvintos Municipal Some historians contend that these Polish and the region and it became known as the poorest of Vilnius County. His father died before he Lithuanians immigrants where just slowly as- section in the empire. The resulting poverty in was born. Like most residences of the village, similated and had becoming just Americans. A Galicia eventually caused a fourth of its popu- he grew up very poor, but still managed to ac-

May 2021. No 5. 21 Special

Dean Street. Eva eventually went back to work at Shuttleworth Park in order to help make money for the family, but soon contracted Scarlet Fever, a bacterial illness. After a prolong illness, Eva passed away on February 3, 1933, in her sleep. She was laid to rest in St. Casimir Church Cemetery. Steven continued to work for the Bigelow-Sanford Carpet Company until he retired in 1952. Steven Strenges eventually passed away, on September 5, 1954, and was laid to rest next to his beloved wife. As a teenager, Sadie Strenges spent most of her free time helping her father raise her youn- ger siblings. Still she managed to graduate from Wilbur Lynch High School, which was not an easy task during the Depression years. During World War II, Sadie when to worked at the Ge- neral Electric facility, Schenectady, New York, making radar tubes for the military. There after she went to work for the Norton Publishing Company and remained there for over 20 years. Steven Strenges, Eva Zalimas-Strenges with their daughter Sadie Strenges. GENERAL’S PARENTS AND THE quire the money need to immigrate to Ameri- changed his Zalimas name MAIN BATTLES ca. When he was 19 years old, Stanislaw arrived to its English form Green and became a success- Frank and Sadie Natonski were married in the United States, on April 11, 1906, at Ellis ful tavern owner in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. for over 67 years and had two children. Their Island, New York, hoping to establish a new Steven Strenges and Eva Zalimas soon meet son Richard was born in 1951 and daughter, live in America. He initially lived with a cousin, and were married, on May 27, 1916, in Rens- Mary, born in 1954, who passed away as an in- Frank Rudzionis, in Elizabethport, New Jersey selaer County, New York, and settled in Ave- fant. Frank in his youth had developed a love and there went to work for the Singer Sewing rill Park, New York, where he went to work for aviation and over the years had acquired a Machine Company. Over the years, Stanislaw for the Faith Knitting Company. The family numerous pilot qualifications. His other out- adopted the more Americanized name of Ste- later moved to Amsterdam, New York, where side interest were golfing and speed skating. phen and then Steven Strenges. Steven went to work at the Bigelow-Sanford Sadie likewise developed and participated in Stephen’s future wife, Eva Zalimas, was Carpet Company. While living in Amsterdam, many out of the home interests. In 1966, she born on November 15, 1897, in Telsiai, Kaunas Steven and Eva became members of St. Casi- obtained a Practical Nurse License through County, Lithuania. Her father was Ludwileas mir Church and the local American-Lithuanian the J. M. Wright Technical School served in Zalimas, who was a blacksmith. Eva, when she Club. Like most immigrant families during the this capacity for a number of years. Sadie also was 22 years old, immigrated to the United Depression era, the Strenges Family was very served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and States with her brother, William Zalimas, via poor. They had three children, Sadie Strenges the Pegasus Project, which enhances the lives Hamburg, Germany, and arrived on October born on April 6, 1917; Nellie Strenges born of people who had disabilities and challenges 21, 1913 at Ellis Island, New York. They ini- on January 1, 1922; and John born on Janu- through equine assisted activities and educa- tially resided with their Aunt Josslon in Mecha- ary 6, 1926. Still, Steven and Eva managed to tion. Both Frank and Sadie during their later nicsville, New York. William Zalimas eventually purchase their own home in 1931 located at 4 years were devoted members of St. Aloysius

Frank Natonski and Sadie Strenges on their wedding day on December 28,1946, Frank Natonski and Sadie Strenges wedding dinner. December 28,1946, Amsterdam, NY. Amsterdam, NY.

22 Lithuanian Military Digest Special

ditionary Unit (MEU) made two deployments THE BATTLE OF FALLUJAH — supporting operations in Bosnia and Kuwait. THE HEAVIEST URBAN COMBAT In June 2002, Brigadier General Natonski OF THE IRAQ WAR was assigned as the commander the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and during January to June 2003 period was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During this opera- tion, the 2nd MEB was redesigned as Task Force Tarawa and employed as the lead ground ma- neuver element under I Marine Expeditionary Force. They fought the Battle of Nasiriyah and participated in the rescue of Jessica Lynch. In August 2004, Major-General Natonski as- US Army Lieutenant General David D. McKiernan, sumed command of the 1st Marine Division Commander, Coalition Forces Land Component Command, and US Marine Corps Brigadier in Iraq. There he led the ground maneuver ele- General Richard F. Natonski, Commander, Task ment of the Marine Expeditionary Brigade dur- Force Tarawa, enter the Combat Operations ing counter insurgency operations, the Battle of Center of Task Force Tarawa at Blair Field in Iraq, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Fallujah (Operation Al–Fajr), and in January 2005 during the Iraqi National Elections. An M-198 155mm Howitzer of the US Marines firing at Fallujah, Iraq, during the Second Battle . Frank lived a long life and In June 2006, President George W. Bush of Fallujah. passed away at age 93, on February 9, 2014, nominated Natonski to the rank of Lieute- at Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, Connecticut. nant-General and he was then assigned as the The Second Battle of Fallujah — code- Sadie shortly later passed away, on January 15, USMC Deputy Commandant, Plans, Policies, named Operation Al-Fajr and Operation 2015, at her home in New Canaan, Connecti- and Operations. On November 7, 2006, Na- Phantom Fury — was a joint American, Iraqi- cut. Both where buried in Casimir Ce- tonski became Deputy Commandant received government, and British offensive in Novem- metery, Amsterdam, New York, next to Sadie’s his third star. Natonski continued to serve in ber and December 2004, the highest point parents, Steven and Eva Strenges. this position until August 2008 when he as- of conflict during the Iraq War. It was led by General Richard Natonski spent his teenage sumed command of U.S. Marine Corps Forces the U.S. Marines against the Iraqi insurgents years in New Canaan, Connecticut. He gradua- Command. Lieutenant-General Richard F, in the city of Fallujah, and was authorized ted from the University of Louisville, Louis- Natonski retired on September 8, 2010, after by the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Interim Govern- ville, Kentucky, in 1973, with a Bachelor of Arts having served his country with great distinc- ment. The U.S. military called it "some of the degree in History. Shortly later, Richard joined tion for 37 years. At his Marine Barracks Wash- heaviest urban combat U.S. Marines have and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant ington retirement ceremony, General James been involved in since the Battle of Huế City in the United States Marine Corps. Space pre- T. Conway, the Commandant of the Marine in Vietnam in 1968." cludes giving a detailed account of Richard’s Corps, presented Natonski with a letter from This operation was the second major ope- many military assignments during his 37 distin- President Barack Obama thanking him for his ration in Fallujah. Earlier, in April 2004, coali- guish year career with the USMC. During that service. It should be noted at the time of his re- tion forces fought the First Battle of Fallujah time, he rose from a Lieutenant to a Lieutenant- tirement, Natonski was the highest decorated in order to capture or kill insurgent elements General. Still the author would be reminiscent Marine on active duty. I suspect that virtually considered responsible for the deaths of a if he did not at least recount at least some of his every Polish and Lithuanian American is proud Blackwater Security team. When coalition many significant combat related assignments. to call Lieutenant-General Richard F. Natonski forces fought into the center of the city, the In 1974, Lieutenant Natonski served as a one of their very own. I thank General Natons- Iraqi government requested that the city's platoon commander and executive officer with ki for his service to God and country. control be transferred to an Iraqi-run local Company H, 2nd Battalion, th4 Marines and security force, which then began stockpil- participated in Non-Combatant Evacuation By Henry L. Gaidis/ The Lithuanian ing weapons and building complex defenses Operations in Cambodia (Operation Eagle Museum Review across the city through mid-2004. The second Pull) and in South Vietnam (Operation Fre- battle was the bloodiest battle of the entire quent Wind). During the 1988–1989 period, Iraq War for American troops, and is notable Major Natonski was assigned as an Observer for being the first major engagement of the to the Truce Supervision Or- Iraq War fought solely against insurgents rat- ganization in the Middle East. In May 1992, her than the forces of the former Ba'athist Iraqi Lieutenant-Colonel Natonski while serving government, which was deposed in 2003. with the 2nd Marine Regiment, commanding Major-General Natonski led the ground the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines he participated maneuver element of the Marine Expedition- in Operation Guantanamo, a humanitarian re- ary Brigade during counter insurgency opera- lief mission for Haitian migrants in Cuba and tions, the Battle of Fallujah (Operation Al– Operations Restore Hope and Operation Con- Fajr), and in January 2005 during the Iraqi tinue Hope in . In October 1995, while Lieutenant-General Richard F. Natonski giving National Elections. a Colonel commanding the 24th Marine Expe- interview in Iraq, 2004.

May 2021. No 5. 23 The pilot of an Ejército del Aire (Spanish Air Force) Eurofighter Typhoon displays the Spanish national flag during the deployment flight to Lithuania. a Spanish detachment will lead NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission for the next four months. Photo credit: Spanish Air Force

24 Lithuanian Military Digest