OCTOBER, 2018. NO 5 (5).

NEWS

LITHUANIAN, U.S. AND NATO BATTALION TROOPS TRAINED IN AN EXERCISE TO TEST THE NEW FIRING RANGE

CROATIA WILL CONTINUE (MoD) Alfredas Pliadis credits: Photo DEPLOYING TROOPS TO THE NATO eFP BATTALION BATTLE GROUP IN Chancellor Angela Merkel NATO'S PRESENCE paid a visit to troops in NATO AIR POLICING MISSION: 14 YEARS ABOVE THE BALTIC ON SEPTEMBER 14 ’S CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL, ACCOMPANIED GROUND BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA DALIA GRYBAUSKAITĖ, VISITED SOLDIERS OF GERMANY SERVING IN RUKLA AND IN CHARGE OF THE NATO ENHANCED FORWARD PRESENCE (EFP) BATTALION BATTLE GROUP (BG) IN LITHUANIA. HEAD OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO ACCOMPANIED BY MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENCE RAIMUNDAS KAROBLIS AND CHIEF OF DEFENCE OF LITHUANIA LIEUTENANT GENERAL JONAS ŽUKAS.

ermany has been the first ally to sending rotations of the NATO Air Policing take the responsibility in imple- Mission in the and officers to the menting the deterrence measure NATO Force Integration Unit in Lithuania. SPECIAL Gagreed to at the Summit and de- Germany had been leading the NATO cided to become the lead nation in forming eFP BG in Rukla deployed for deterrence 2018. , ANTAKALNIS, the NATO eFP Battalion BG in Lithuania in and defence purposes since the beginning of ORPHAN CEMETERY... the context of continuing Russian provoca- 2017. Its personnel contribution is over half tions, aggressive conduct and threat against a thousand troops with weapons and equip- Lithuania and the Baltic states. ment, the largest part of the eFP strength Germany’s contribution to the develop- among the contributing nations. The NATO ment of Lithuania’s defence capabilities is par- eFP in Rukla is under the command of Lieu- ticularly substantial. It is also a longstanding tenant Rene Braun, commander of and close partner of Lithuania in upgrading the German Tank Battalion. military forces, weaponry, and military equip- Personnel and weapons to the NATO ment — Lithuania is buying Vilkas Infantry eFP BG are also contributed by , the Fighting Vehicles, Pz 2000 self-propelled , the , , howitzers, M577 armoured personnel car- and . In total, the strength of the mul- riers, etc., from Germany. The country is also tinational unit is over 1,200. Content NEWS

CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL PAID A VISIT TO TROOPS IN RUKLA...... 1

LITHUANIAN, U.S. AND NATO BATTALION TROOPS TRAINED IN AN EXERCISE TO TEST THE NEW FIRING RANGE...... 3

INAUGURATION CEREMONY AND WELCOME FOR THE BELGIAN AND CONTINGENT...... 4

LITHUANIAN SOLDIERS SHARED THEIR Photo credit: Srg. Sp. Ieva Budzeikaitė Ieva Sp. credit: Srg. Photo EXPERIENCE AT INTERNATIONAL EXERCISE Dear readers of the "Lithuanian Military Digest", RAPID TRIDENT 2018 IN UKRAINE...... 5 LITHUANIAN AND ESTONIAN CHIEFS OF DEFENCE In the first issue of the "Lithuanian Military Digest", we DISCUSSED MILITARY COOPERATION IN TALLINN.....6 proudly introduced to you Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas, our great forest brother and freedom fighter. Today, with WILL CONTINUE DEPLOYING TROOPS autumn speeding up, we want to invite you to extend your TO THE NATO eFP BATTALION BATTLE GROUP IN familiarity with this person. LITHUANIA...... 7 Those who read the biography of A. Ramanauskas-Vana- gas, published in the first issue, know where he first saw this INSTALLING OF THE AIR FIRING RANGE COMPLETED world and how heroically lost his life for the sake of liberty of IN KAZLŲ RŪDA TRAINING AREA, EXERCISES ARE Lithuania. But for years no one who have known this name PLANNED FOR THIS AUTUMN...... 8 could solve the riddle left in our country’s history after his NATO PRESENCE IN THE REGION AND AIR DEFENCE execution — where lay the remains of A. Ramanauskas- REMAIN PRIORITISED ON NATO AGENDA...... 9 Vanagas. So today, Lithuanian historians and archaeologists, after researching this hidden secret of hostile forces, present- NATO'S PRESENCE ed a joyful gift to the people of Lithuania, as if crowning the 100th anniversary of the independence of Lithuania which NATO AIR POLICING MISSION: 14 YEARS ABOVE is being celebrated this year. It is a pleasant surprise that right THE BALTIC GROUND...... 12 after you took in your hands our first issue, during the same month at Orphan Cemetery in Vilnius the remains, belong- SPECIAL ing to the partisans’ commander, were found. Thus, after ten 2018. VILNIUS, ANTAKALNIS, ORPHAN years of archaeological searches and more than 60 years after CEMETERY...... 16 shooting our brother, on June 1, 2018, the period was placed in the incomplete history. As the Associate Profes- sor at Vilnius University Gintautas Vėlius have said, the buri- al place of the remains of A. Ramanauskas-Vanagas was per- sistently hidden by the still living KGB officers, who at that Military Press Office of Totorių str. 25, LT-01121, Vilnius; time, i.e. since 1956, after the resumption of the execution Phone (370 5) 210 3897, GSM (370 6) 28 75851; fax (370 5) 273 5550; of the death penalty, were responsible for the burials. Today, Kotryna Gurevičiūtė Correspondent all of us are especially glad that all their efforts went in vain. Phone (370 5) 210 3897, GSM (370 6) 28 75851; fax (370 5) 273 5550; In order to properly pay the tribute to the remembrance Email [email protected] of this Lithuanian patriot, his remains will be buried on Oc- 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- tober 6 this year in Vilnius Antakalnis cemetery, the panthe- culation is 300 copies. Printed by the Cartography Center of Lithuanian Military, Muitinės str.4, , LT-54359 dist. Order GL-500. on of state leaders. Wish you a pleasant reading, Team of the "Lithuanian Military Digest"

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Lithuanian, U.S. and NATO Battalion troops trained in an exercise to test the new firing range Photo credits: Alfredas Pliadis (MoD) and Sgt. Spc. Ieva Budzeikaitė (LITHAF) Ieva Sgt. and Spc. (MoD) Alfredas Pliadis credits: Photo

mplementation of infrastructure nations. We would like to thank our hosts, the vestras Žukauskas Training Area will be the development projects in Lithu- Lithuanian Armed Forces, they have provided only military site in Lithuania suitable for host- anian military training areas takes outstanding support to the Army ing an up to a brigade-sized military unit — us"I to a qualitatively and quantitatively new rotational unit," Ambassador of the United several thousands of soldiers an hundreds of training level for Lithuanian troops alongside States HE Anne Hall said thanking for excellent combat vehicles. Full logistical support to mili- our allies. Provision of such training condi- hosting of the U.S. rotational force in Lithuania. tary units of such size training in the rea would tions supports presence of our strategic ally, The training event at Gen. S. Žukauskas be provided too. U.S. forces and thus improves deterrence and Training Area was conducted by soldiers of the As Lithuania’s combat training infrastruc- collective defence capabilities," Vice Minister 7th Cavalry Regiment of the U.S. Army, Iron ture is improved, other military training areas of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis said Wolf Brigade of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, and their surrounding territories are expanded, on September 20 at an event to observe U.S. and NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battal- their infrastructure refurbished, new training and Lithuanian troops on joint training at Gen. ion Battle Group. Live fire exercise at the new fields are set up to match the needs of currently Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area in Pabradė. firing range involved M1 Abrams main battle procured weaponry. Infrastructure develop- A heavy weaponry firing range suitable also for tanks and Bradley armoured personnel carri- ment is planned for five training areas, how- tanks to fire inert ammunition was set up here ers of the U.S. Army. Soldiers of the Lithuanian ever, the main focus is on two objects of state in the end of summer. Grand Duke Mechanised Infantry importance — Gen. S. Žukauskas Training Minister R. Karoblis stressed that the refur- Battalion will also provide heavy mortar fire Area and Gaižiūnai Training Area. bishment increased readiness of the training al- support to the infantry company of the U.S. Various infrastructure development proj- lies as well as their interoperability with Lithu- Army in this exercise. ects are planned to be completed at Lithuanian anian troops. The exercise was also observed by Chief of Armed Forces military training areas in stages "This training event represents the culmina- Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Jonas until 2022. tion of efforts that include the completion of Vytautas Žukas, representatives of the Ministry The projects are financed not only from the multiple purpose range complex, deploy- of National Defence, commanders of Armed national funds but also in equal parts from ment of a rotational armoured unit exercising Forces services, representatives of foreign the NATO Security Investment Programme , and a live fire training event countries’ embassies, and other guests. (NSIP) and the European Reassurance Initia- that demonstrates the United States’ commit- Infrastructure development project at Gen. tive (ERI) and the European Deterrence Initia- ment to our Lithuanian Allies and the NATO Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area is a contin- tive (EDI). Countries forming the NATO eFP Alliance. These types of events enhance in- uous project launched in 2014. Apart from the in Lithuania are also contributing financially. teroperability throughout the alliance, help heavy weaponry training range it also has infra- Implementation of development projects in improve cross border military mobility, and structure for light infantry arms firing, combat Lithuanian military training areas is aimed at develop our forces’ readiness. Part of the range vehicle, artillery and aircraft target areas. Infra- providing appropriate training conditions for in which , Germans, Dutch, Bel- structure for equipment, gear and ammunition both, Lithuanian and allied forces. The objec- gium, and American soldiers are using today storage is being set up too. Infrastructure for tive is to have two main training area of Lithu- was funded through the European Reassurance combat vehicles and maintenance is expected ania in Pabradė and in Rukla fully ready and in Initiative and will be used in the future by the to be finished by the end of the as well. line with NATO standards for military raining Lithuanian Armed Forces and other NATO Once the projects are completed, Gen. Sil- until 2022.

October 2018. No 5. 3 News

Inauguration Ceremony and Welcome for the Belgian and Luxembourg contingent

inforces the Belgian Mechanized Infantry Com- pany during the second half of 2018. The con- tribution of the consists of some 25 soldiers from the garrison in . The whole BG lined up on the parade ground of the garrison in Rukla with some of their vehicles to welcome their new comrades in arms. As guests of honour, the Ambassador of Luxemburg to Lithuania, H. E. Mr. Conrad Bruch, the Honarary Consul of Luxembourg, Mr. Ramūnas Garbaravičius, and for the Lithu- anian Iron Wolf Brigade the Chief of Staff, Lt. Col. Aurelijus Motiejūnas attended the event. In his speech, the Commander of eFP BG LTU, Lt. Col. René Braun, expressed his satisfac- tion that the 4th Rotation of the eFP BG is now finally complete, and stressed the fact that with now seven contributing nations NATO sends a strong signal of commitment to the security and safety of the Baltic NATO partners and Lithu- ania in particular. He put the very reasoning of

Text and pictures provided by NATO eFP BG LTU NATO provided by pictures and Text eFP in a wider historical context: "In 2014 in Wales and in 2016 in Warsaw Lithuania asked for support — since January 2017 the international BG of NATO is deployed in Rukla as an eFP in rotating cycles. I like to compare this to the French, British, and American commitments to West Berlin from 1945 to 1989. In these 44 years NATO-forces might have been inferior and not ready to face an attack of conventional forces. But through disciplined conduct, credible will to defend and unbroken passion for the fight for freedom they were also responsible that West Berlin was never attacked by regular forces." The Senior National Representatives of Bel- gium and Luxembourg to the BG, Maj. Cedrik Bougeois and Lt. Gilles David led their contin- gents onto the parade ground and handed over the flags of their countries to the commander. This act symbolised the official assignment of the Belgian/Luxembourg contribution to the BG. In his address, Lt. Col. Garbaravičius wel- comed the new partners in the name of the Iron n Thursday, 13th September, the in- sion in Lithuania with a Mechanized Infantry Wulf Brigade and thanked for their commitment auguration ceremony and the wel- Company of 250 men, formed by the Bel- to the common effort to strengthen the defence come for the newly arrived Belgian gian 1st/3rd Battalion of Lancers, stationed of Lithuania and the eastern NATO flank. Oand Luxembourg soldiers of the 4th rotation in Marche-en-Famenne between Namur and After the official event, a static display of NATO Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Bastogne. With this contingent, Belgium again tactical vehicles took place, followed by the BG Battlegroup (BG) Lithuania took place in the commits to this mission and to Lithuania. Back Day with some sportive events, where multina- barracks of the Training Regiment of the Lithu- in 2017, the Belgium Army furnished the main tional teams were competing in several disci- anian Armed Forces in Rukla. body for the logistic transport support for eFP plines like pulling an Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Belgium is reinforcing the NATO eFP mis- BG. A Luxembourg reconnaissance Platoon re- a bow contest or a relay race.

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Lithuanian soldiers shared their experience at international Exercise Rapid Trident 2018 in Ukraine that the war in Eastern Ukraine remains to be the biggest drawback to the Ukrainian mili- tary reform and interoperability with allies. According to Lt. Col. Eligijus Senulis, staff of the 54th Brigade of the deployed for exercise straight from Donbass. Lithuanian military instructors and LIT- POLUKRBRIG staff officers and NCOs, along with U.S., Canadian, British, and Polish allies, observed exercise Rapid Trident 2018 and ad- vised members of the 54th Mechanised Infan- try Brigade Battalion Battle Group on the best ways of applying NATO standards to comple- tion of tasks. This year Rapid Trident 2018 ran on Sep- tember 3-14, involved 2270 soldiers from 14 NATO allies and partner nations, and used

Photo credits: Major Kostas Petrovas Kostas Major credits: Photo JCATS (Joint Conflict and Tactical Simulation System) and MILES (Multiple Integrated La- n September 14 largest joint in- reform, and to consolidate NATO standards ser Engagement System). ternational exercise of the Armed and procedures being introduced in the Armed Rapid Trident is an exercise organised Forces of Ukraine and the U.S. Forces of Ukraine. by U.S. EUCOM in Ukraine to develop and OArmy Europe (USAREUR) Rapid Trident "Exercise Rapid Trident 2018 has demon- strengthen international military cooperation 2018 concluded at Yavoriv Training Area in strated the will and the ability of the Armed of the U.S., NATO, and oblast. Lithuania was represented at the Forces of Ukraine to act shoulder to shoulder nations, interoperability of NATO and partner exercise by military instructors conducting with allies in line with NATO standards and nations’ militaries, to contribute to a stronger the Military Mission in Ukraine and by staff procedures. This year Ukrainians have carried regional stability and security. Rapid Trident officers and NCOs of the trilateral Lithuanian, out the majority of exercise organisation and has been held in Ukraine since 2018. Polish and Ukrainian Great Hetman Konstan- execution processes on their own and con- Lithuania has been supporting Ukraine’s tinas Ostrogiškis of the Grand Duchy of Lithu- solidated NATO standards successfully," LIT- independence and territorial integrity, as well ania Brigade. POLUKRBRIG Chief of Staff Lt. Col. Eligijus as its European and Euro-Atlantic integration The exercise was arranged to strengthen Senulis (Lithuanian Armed Forces) said after aspirations, since the start of the Russian ag- military cooperation of Ukraine, NATO, and having taken part in Rapid Trident for the sec- gression. Cooperation with Ukraine is among partner nations, increase interoperability of ond consecutive year. Lithuania’s top foreign and security policy pri- their armed forces, to ensure Ukraine’s defence The Lithuanian officer also underscored orities.

October 2018. No 5. 5 News

Lithuanian and Estonian Chiefs of Defence discussed military cooperation in Tallinn

n September 18-19 Chief of De- fence of Lithuania Lieutenant Gen- eral Jonas Vytautas Žukas conduct- Oed a formal visit to . He met with Chief of Defence of Estonia General Riho Terras at the Defence Staff of Estonia in Tallinn and dis- cussed regional security, military cooperation of the two countries, and expressed delight about the alignment on different strategic re- gional security aspects. “I am happy that Lithuania has an ally like Estonia. We have to adhere to a unified posi- tion and to send a strong Baltic message to other allies that NATO readiness to provide a coordinated response to threats has to be further improved. The ability to ensure a swift deployment of international forces and air defence capabilities into the region is particu- larly important,” Lithuania’s Chief of Defence said. Chiefs of Defence also discussed other topical issues on the upcoming NATO Mili-

tary Committee meeting agenda (NATO R. Armed Forces) Maj. (Lithuanian Senkevičius Forces), Defence (Estonian Teder V. credit: S. Photo Chiefs of Defence are members of the NATO Military Committee). Generals praised the Lithuanian and Estonian Chiefs of Defence efficiently, to find ways of maintaining and- de progress achieved in NATO in the recent year paid significant attention to prospects of mili- veloping maritime capabilities jointly. but also agreed that quite a number of issues tary cooperation. They agreed that both coun- Chief of Defence of Estonia Gen. R. Ter- concerning security of NATO’s eastern flank tries had to do more in cooperation among ras was interested in Lithuania’s investments required immediate solutions. in order to use resources at hand more into air defence capabilities and stressed that Baltic cooperation on air defence also meant operational compatibility. He also informed his Lithuanian counterpart that strengthening air defence capabilities was one of priorities of the Estonian and it would be solved as soon as there was budget for it. During the visit Chief of Defence also laid flowers at the Memorial for Estonia’s Free- dom Fights, visited Estonia’s Special Opera- tions Forces, and the location of deployment of the 1st Infantry Brigade of the Latvian Army and the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group at the Tapa Training Area. Lithuania and Estonia cooperate in de- fence area both in the trilateral format of the three Baltic States, and multilaterally in NATO, EU, NB8, and NORDEFCO. Areas of the most intense trilateral cooperation are air policing, airspace surveillance, naval forces, Baltic Defence College activities, military training, capability development, and defence planning.

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Croatia will continue deploying troops to the NATO eFP Battalion Battle Group in Lithuania

ithuania thanks Croa- tia for the decision to deploy its forces to "Lthe NATO enhanced Forward Pres- ence (eFP) Battalion Battle Group (BG) in Lithuania again — that is the real expression of solidarity be- tween our countries in the face of common threats," Minister of Na- tional Defence Raimundas Karoblis said while on a formal visit in Croa- tia, after the meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Min- ister Damir Krstičević and Chief of Defence of Croatia General Mirko Šundov. In December 2017 — July 2018 Croatia contributed a military con- tingent to the NATO eFP Battalion BG deployed in Lithuania for de- terrence and defence. Accroding to

the Minister of Defence of Croatia, of the Ministry courtesy of Croatia of Defence Photos: a decisions had been taken to de- ploy forces to the NATO eFP in Rukla again countries train together in international exer- terprises (the latter is providing helmets to in the first semester of 2020. "It was an in- cises, both countries also maintain coopera- the Lithuanian Armed Forces) to familiarise valuable experience for us that we will apply tion and share information in installing artil- with weaponry and equipment manufac- in the future," Defence Minister of Croatia lery systems PzH 2000. Croatia also takes turer there. R. Karoblis made a briefing on said. "We are still feeling we are a part of the part in the Lithuanian-initiated EU response the experience of Lithuanian enterprises in Battalion, so we are happy to be able to con- teams project in PESCO framework and had defence industry and said it was one more tribute to a stronger security in the region." signed the Protocol of Intent on their forma- promising area of cooperation, Lithuanian Ministers also discussed possibilities of tion. Lithuania also procured military gear and Croatian Defence Ministers agreed to further bilateral military cooperation. Croa- from Croatia. look for ways of increasing synergy between tia is Lithuania’s main partner in military Minister also visited factories of HS Pro- Lithuanian and Croatian defence industry area in Southeastern Europe: troops of both duct and Šestan-Busch defence industry en- enterprises.

October 2018. No 5. 7 News

Installing of the air firing range completed in Kazlų Rūda training area, exercises are planned for this autumn Kazlų Rūda Training Area began in the autumn of 2017. The strategic ally of Lithuania — the US, has considerably contributed to this proj- ect. The US also provided experts, who esti- mated combat training infrastructure require- ments, advised on safety issues and installed the range objects. The start of operating the air firing range in Kazlų Rūda Training Area is planned for October as soon as detailed measurement of weapon danger areas, i.e. certification, is com- pleted. The first training of joint terminal attack controllers is scheduled for this autumn in the form of regional exercise for joint terminal at- tack controllers. The air firing range in Kazlų Rūda Training Area is only a part of present modernisation of this object. Renovation and enlargement of in- dividual training ranges as well as improvement

Photo credits: Archive of the Lithuanian Armed Forces of the Lithuanian Archive credits: Photo of field camping conditions for Lithuanian and nstalling of the air-to-ground firing range that in future our cooperation will become even allied troops will be continued. complying with NATO standards has more intensified," Commander of Training and Increasing manpower, procurement of weap- been completed at Doctrine Command of the Lithuanian Armed onry and equipment as well as intensified allied IK. Veverskis Training Area in Kazlų Rūda. Forces Brigadier General G. Zenkevičius said at presence determine increased training, storage Works also included renovation of roads, in- the official range handover ceremony organised and host nation support requirements. There- stalling of firefighting system. The first exercise at Kazlų Rūda Training Area on 6 September. fore, the Ministry of National Defence focuses is planned for this autumn already. The General presented the Divisions of the on renovation and development of military infra- "What we have at present was only a dream Lithuanian Armed Forces Medals of Distinc- structure in order to create conditions of training some time ago, but to achieve such dream three tion to the military engineers of the Red Horse for both, our and allied soldiers. The infrastruc- components are needed: allies to provide sup- Company of the United States PNG who con- ture projects are carried out not only through port, friends to work together, and motivated ducted the works of installing the range. national funding but also from the NATO Secu- personnel. Today all these components are pres- "I am delighted to extend my thanks for the rity Investment Programme, European Reassur- ent here: allies — the US, friends — the Penn- professional work completed by Lithuanian ance Initiative, European Deterrence Initiative sylvania National Guard (PNG) and all of you and American servicemen in installing the and participants of NATO enhanced Forward who have accomplished the entire work. De- range and to stress over again that only by joint Presence Battalion. Infrastructure development spite different challenges, excellent results have efforts we can achieve positive results required plans are drafted for five training areas, but the been achieved through your sustained, profes- to ensure peace," Major Sean Rufolo, Deputy main focus is on the development of General sional, and sincere collective work. I would like Chief, Office of Defense Cooperation US Em- S. Žukauskas Training Area in Pabradė and to thank Lithuanian and American servicemen bassy, said during the ceremony. Gaižiūnai Training Area near Rukla, both offi- who contributed to this project, and I believe Works of installing the air firing range at the cially identified to be critical state objects.

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NATO presence in the region and air defence remain prioritised on NATO agenda n September 7 Minister of Nation- al Defence Raimundas Karoblis met with Director General of the ONATO Parliamentary Assembly David Hobbs conducting a formal visit in Lithuania. The offi- cials discussed the expanding military capabil- ity of the Russian Federation, especially near the eastern borders of the Alliance, and the steadily growing militarisation of Kaliningrad Oblast, the increasing hybrid threats in cyber and information space, and potential measures of deterrence. "The threats near the eastern NATO borders remain tangible, so appropriate defence spend- ing of the allies is a key factor for ensuring secu- rity," Minister of National Defence said. He stressed at the meeting that "NATO presence in the region and air defence remain prioritised on NATO agenda." Topical NATO and international secu- (MoD) Alfredas Pliadis credits: Photo rity issues and further Alliance’s assistance to parliamentary organisation bringing together platform for NATO parliamentarians to ex- Ukraine were too addressed at the meeting parliamentarians of NATO allies and associ- change views and ideas, look for joint solutions also attended by Member of Parliament Rasa ate Assembly members and partners from in providing security and stability, with their Juknevičienė who was elected President of the other countries to discuss policy, security and counterparts from other countries. NATO Parliamentary Assembly in March 2018 economy issues of interest to their respective The NATO Parliamentary Assembly meets and will assume the duties later this month. countries and the whole Alliance. The goal of for sessions twice a year, in spring and autumn, NATO Parliamentary Assembly is an inter- the NATO Parliamentary Assembly is to be a each year hosted by another member. Heavy U.S. Army equipment deployed for training in Pabradė Training Area n September 14 M1 Abrams tanks be even more effective with our time in the and Bradley infantry fighting ve- future. Railway stations here in Lithuania had hicles of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cav- all equipment and infrastructure we needed alryO Regiment, currently deployed in , so our heavy equipment was moved almost were unloaded at Pabradė Railway Station. The three times faster than the previous times onto units was training at Gen. Silvestras Žukauskas the readied waggons and to the training site in Training Area in Pabradė until the end of Sep- Rukla," 1st Lt. Leigha McGrady representing tember alongside troops of the Mechanised the Battalion said. Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf, Lithuanian Armed The objective of this exercise was to assess Forces, and the NATO enhanced Forward the conditions for tactical training with live fire Presence Battalion Battle Group. using inert heavy equipment ammunition at Troops were training a range of tactical ac- the newly installed multifunctional firing range tions (reconnaissance, attack, etc., including at Gen. Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area

using live fire and guns of armoured person- Lysenko Michail Class 1st Pte credits: Photo of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The firing nel carriers and tanks. The exercise also tested range suitable for up to 3-kilometer inert am- possibilities of deployment of NATO allies in armoured vehicles from Poland to Lithuania munition (including tank) firing distance was Lithuania. via railway went smoothly. Moreover, we have installed at the training area at the end of the "We can state that deployment of tanks and identified a number of things that will help us summer earlier this year.

October 2018. No 5. 9 News

Defence cooperation of Lithuania and the United Kingdom discussed cise is planned in the nearest while, its scenario is planned to include Article 5 situations. According to Vice Minister, exercises in JEF framework at all levels were very beneficial and Lithuania would continue taking part in joint exercises maintaining the JEF readiness. In spring Lithuanian forces trained in LIVEX, JEF exercise, and their performance was ex- cellent. "We are ready to arrange and host the maritime JEF component part of AMPHIBEX in Lithuania, on the Baltic coast near Klaipėda and surrounding area," Vice Minister of Na- tional Defence V. Umbrasas said. The JEF is one more means of deterrence and defence, as well as a way to increase Lithu- anian and regional security and to strengthen European military capabilities. Lithuania as- signed to the JEF a company and one staff offi- cer to the JEF operational HQ in Northwood. The of the Republic of Lithuania has mandated participation of Lithuanian forces in operations as part of the NATO Response Force, EU Battle Groups and the JEF, thus Photo credits: Giedrė Maksimovicz Giedrė (MoD) credits: Photo there is legal basis to deploy our troops and n September 28 Vice Minister of are strengthening our defence as much as our ensure crisis management as soon as there is National Defence Vytautas Um- resources allow — we have increased our de- political will. brasas discussed regional security fence budget to 2 percent of GDP this year, and Lithuania and the UK cooperate closely on Osituation and prospects of enhancing bilateral we welcome the signature of the new agreement defence in NATO, EU, multilateral and bilateral cooperation with Vice Chief of the Defence of Lithuanian political parties to reach 2.5 per- formats. British contributions to the strategi- Staff of the United Kingdom General Sir Gor- cent of GDP until 2030," V. Umbrasas said. cally important NATO Air Policing Mission sig- don Messenger. According to UK’s Vice Chief of the De- nificantly increase security in the region, the UK "The United Kingdom is a crucial ally to fence Staff, Lithuania and the United Kingdom has already provided four rotations of the Baltic Lithuania who has rendered invaluable support were close partners learning from each other Air Policing Mission and also, it is the lead na- right from the beginning of Lithuania’s inde- across many areas. "We can learn fighting in- tion of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence pendence and has had the back of our country’s formation threats from you, the thing you are Battalion Battle Group in Estonia, deployed for security interest for many years," V. Umbrasas doing daily," Gen G. Messenger said. deterrence and defence and stronger security of underscored at the meeting and thanked the Vice Minister and General addressed topics the eastern NATO borders. The UK delegates UK for the efforts to enhance security in the re- of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, prog- its representatives to support the NATO Energy gion — participation in the NATO Air Policing ress on the project of the UK-led JEF that Lith- Security Centre of Excellence and the NATO Mission in the Baltic states, leadership of NATO uania is also a part of, and possible deployment Force Integration Unit in Vilnius. enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle of the JEF to missions and operations. Minis- Our soldiers have served in multinational Group in Estonia, and leading the Joint Expedi- ter of National Defence R. Karoblis and his missions in Iraq and side by side tionary Forces (JEF). counterparts from 8 more participants of the with British colleagues and complete joint tasks According to Vice Minister, the decisions projects — , Estonia, UK, , the in international exercises in Lithuania and the to strengthen security measures in the Baltic Netherlands, Norway, Finland, and , UK gaining mutually valuable experience. region taken in Wales and Warsaw are reward- signed the comprehensive memorandum of In the first semester of 2016 Lithuania were ing and highly appreciated, however, a lot understanding marking formation of the JEF on standby for the UK-led EU Battle Group more needed to be done, i.e., strengthen air de- and its full readiness earlier this year in June. with Irish, Latvian, Finnish and Swedish col- fence, maritime capabilities, etc. Vice Minister According to Vice Chief of the Defence leagues, and a company of Algirdas Battalion stressed that Lithuania was doing its own in- Staff, the signature of the memorandum has been on standby for the UK-led Very High vestments into stronger armed forces, increased marked the beginning rather than completion Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) since defence capabilities and public resilience. "We of the project. A military-political level exer- 2017.

10 Lithuanian Military Digest News

NATO Military Committee elected the Director General of the International Military Staff

n September 28-30 Chief of the De- fence Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Major General Vitalijus OVaikšnoras substituted for Chief of Defence of Lithuania at the 180th NATO Military Com- mittee Conference in Warsaw (Poland) where NATO Chiefs of Defence and NATO military leadership addressed key NATO activity and international security topics. Members of the Military Committee and NATO military leadership discussed imple- mentation of the decisions taken in the most recent NATO Summit in Brussels. The topics of discussion covered NATO Readiness, Re- sponsiveness and Modernisation, adaptation of the Command Structure, and other impor- tant decisions, including overview of security situation in areas of operations, implementa- of the organisers courtesy Photos: tion of NATO operations and missions, and Forces Lieutenant General Hans-W. Wier- MC Conference was organised and hosted by their future prospects. The conference also mann as the next Director General of the In- the Chief of the Polish General Staff, Lieutenant addressed the NATO Military Strategy, Re- ternational Military Staff (DGIMS). He will General Rajmund Andrzejczak. sponsiveness, Reinforcement, and the NATO take office next year and hold the duties for The Military Committee (MC) is NATO's Readiness Initiative. three years. highest structure of military command subor- "It has been nearly 70 years of NATO he- The meeting in Warsaw also finished prep- dinate to the , Defence ling to maintain peace and stability in Europe. arations for the NATO Defence Ministers Planning Committee and Nuclear Planning We continue to be united over the mission of meeting in Brussels that will take place on Oc- Group. It takes strategic-level military deci- our collective defence. Therefore NATO is the tober 3-4. sions and forms military advice to the North most successful and the most valued Alliance The 180th MC Conference was chaired by Atlantic Council, the political decision-mak- in history," said Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Royal Chief Marshal Sir Stuart William ing body. At the highest level the MC is com- William Peach, Chairman of the NATO Mili- Peach, Chairman of the NATO Military Com- prised of NATO countries' Chiefs of Defence tary Committee, and Chief of the Polish Gen- mittee. He was supported by U.S. Armed Forces while daily activities are carried out by their eral Staff Lt. Gen. Rajmund Andrzejczakat at a General Curtis M. Scaparrotti, Supreme Allied military representatives. Chiefs of Defence joint press conference. Commander Europe (SACEUR), and French sessions normally take place three times per The meeting allied Chiefs of Defence also Air Force General André Lanata, Supreme Al- year, two in Brussels and one — in one of the elected by general consensus German Armed lied Commander Transformation (SACT). The NATO states on a rotational basis. Defence partnership with the U.S. is further getting stronger n September 26 Minister of Na- The United States is our strategic part- and forces for the continuous presence in tional Defence Raimundas Karoblis ner and key ally in ensuring our national the Baltic States. U.S. troops are training in met with a delegation of the Coun- security. U.S. commitment to our regional military exercises and other military training Ocil of American Ambassadors on a visit in Vil- security, military presence and visibility in events in Lithuania. The U.S. is also the lead nius. The officials discussed regional security, Lithuania and the region, are at the core of nation of the NATO enhanced Forward Pres- Lithuania’s efforts to strengthen regional and Lithuania’s security and stability assurance. ence Battalion Battle Group in Poland, one national security, U.S. role in the Lithuanian- The U.S. is implementing wide-ranging deter- of the NATO multinational units deployed U.S. defence cooperation. rence measures in the Baltic region both on to strengthen eastern borders of the Alliance. "We have always had a strong and produc- a bilateral principle and as a contribution to The U.S. also provides financial support to tive partnership with the U.S. We are allies in NATO efforts. When the security situation Lithuania’s military infrastructure develop- numerous areas and this partnership is further in the region and Europe changed in spring ment projects in Pabradė, Rukla, Šiauliai Air getting stronger," Minister of National De- 2014 the U.S. was the first to deploy air de- Force Base, etc. fence R. Karoblis emphasised at the meeting. fence reinforcement — additional air assets

October 2018. No 5. 11 NATO's presence Photo credits: Alfredas Pliadis (MoD) Alfredas Pliadis credits: Photo NATO Air Policing Mission: 14 Years Above The Baltic Ground FOR THE PAST 14 YEARS NATO AIR FORCES FROM AROUND THE GLOBE HAVE BEEN SHARING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BALTIC AIR SPACE SECURITY PATROLLING OVER LITHUANIA, LATVIA AND ESTONIA. DURING THIS PERIOD, NATO AIR POLICING MISSION HAS EXPERIENCED SOME CHANGES, THEREFORE WE ARE INVITING YOU TO HAVE A LOOK ON A BRIEFING ABOUT ITS DEVELOPMENT.

ATO Air Policing is a peacetime col- of December. Lead nation is Belgium with four by Lithuania, re-established the runway and lective defence mission, safeguard- F-16 "Fighting Falcons", augmented by Ger- (QRA) area infrastructure ing the integrity of the NATO Alli- man detachment with "Eurofighter Typhoons" and communications. After a number of day Nance Member’s Airspace. It remains a unique deployed in Estonia, Amari Air Base. and night familiarization flights, the Belgian and enduring principle that binds its members F-16s began the air policing mission on 1 April together, committing them to protect each THE BEGINNING 2004. During the first six weeks, the aircraft other and setting a spirit of solidarity within Following a request from the Supreme were flown by pilots of the 10th Tactical Wing the Alliance. Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Kleine-Brogel under the command of Major The NATO Air Policing mission has in Mons, Belgium, the first NATO combat air- Harold Van Pee. He was superseded by Major changed during this period. There have been craft entering Baltic airspace were fourLock - Olivier Van Der Linden and his aircrews of the some remarkable changes that could not have heed Martin F-16AM fighters of the Belgian 2nd Tactical Wing in Florennes for the last six been predicted earlier. 17 different Nations Air Component. The deployment of these four weeks. contributed and deployed their aircrafts in combat aircraft was supported and prepared For over 14 years the NATO detachments Air Base to ensure the by about 50 Belgian and 22 Danish ground have patrolled the Baltic skies with great dedi- integrity of the Baltic Air Space within NATO. personnel, including maintenance crews, fire cation and practiced the scramble procedures In total there were 48 rotational shifts which fighters, as well as command and control, air daily. Starting from 2004 it was usual to have happen every four months. The last rotation traffic control and meteorological specialists. 4 Aircrafts and a team of 50-100 people to began on August 31st and will last until the end Personnel of these two countries, supported fully maintain the mission, but in light of the

12 Lithuanian Military Digest NATO's presence Photo credits: Lukas Kalvaitis Lukas credits: (MoD) Photo Commander of the Lithuanian Air Force First Aviation Base Col. Edvardas Mažeikis (on the left) and Chief of Defence of Lithuania Gen. Maj. Jonas Kronkaitis. Photo credits: Alfredas Pliadis (MoD) Alfredas Pliadis credits: Photo

Ukraine situation in 2014, NATO decided to during whole those years. In 2013 old mis- mand which ends in Wing operations center enhance this mission and increased the num- sion HQ building in Quick reaction alert area in Lithuanian Air Force air base which then ber of jets in the region. During the USAF tour, was replaced by a new building which ensured scrambles the aircrafts standing in QRA area. which began in early 2014, the four F-15C Ea- adequate conditions for NATO partners. Few There are two types of scrambles — Tango gles rose to ten in April. After the changeover years before the rubber shelters were replaced which refers to training flights and Alpha which USAF jets were released by Polish MiG-29 and with new heated hangars which provided a safe refers to real incidents in NATO controlled UK’s Eurofighter Typhoons, since then The place for the incoming fighter jets. Besides the Air space. After the horn goes off in the QRA, Baltic air space was always secured by at least infrastructure during those 14 years the Lithu- pilots rushes out of the building and quickly two detachments, with the main operating base anian Air Force equipped new runway mainte- drives to their assigned aircrafts. In less than at Šiauliai, and the Amari Air Base in Estonia. nance, loading and unloading, fuel and other 15 minutes two jets have to be airborne and on Šiauliai was chosen as location for the de- vehicles, increased its firefighting capabilities. route to the area where unidentified aircraft or ployment by a team of NATO experts that There were also navigational and communica- aircrafts are flying. Most of the times aircrafts visited all airports in the Baltic States. Most tional improvements which now ensure quality fails to properly identify themselves, does not suitable would be a military air base equipped of the air field. communicate with Air Traffic Controllers or with the necessary minimal infrastructure for does not properly file their flight plans. Con- fast jet operations. For its operational orders, WHAT IS A SCRAMBLE AND WHAT sequently, such aircraft create unsafe environ- the air policing detachment came under the DOES IT MEAN? ments for other flying objects in the region. Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC), When NATO radars pics up an air track that These intercepts of NATO Air Policing en- Germany. A pair of aircraft stood on a 15 min- does not comply with international standard sures the integrity of Allies’ airspace and pro- utes QRA status, 24 hours on 24, seven days on aviation rules it sends a signal via chain of com- tects Alliance nations. seven. List of countries involved in the Air Policing Mission in both Lithuania and Estonia. At first a rotation lasted three months, but from the third year onwards rotations changed No. Country Platform Year to a four month basis. During those 14 years 1. BEL F-16 2004, 2006, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018 a lot has changed, the first comers conducted 2. CAN CF-18 2014 this mission from an old runway which was 3. CZE JAS-39C 2009, 2012 renewed in 2006. The main concrete runway 4. DNK F-16 2004, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2018 was covered with a new asphalt top layer which 5. FRA Mirage 2000, F1 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018 smoothened its surface and reduced the risk of 6. ITA EF-2000 2015, 2015, 2018 foreign object damage which is extremely dan- 7. DEU F-4, EF-2000 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 gerous four fast jets due to their large intakes. 8. NLD F-16 2005, 2017 The smoother surface also resulted in less 9. NOR F-16 2005, 2008, 2015 maintenance, especially to tires. 10. POL Mig-29, F-16 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017 By that time NATO aircrafts were held in so 11. PRT F-16 2007, 2014, 2016, 2018 called rubber shelters, which covered the jets 12. ROU Mig-21 2007 from rain and snow, but during the winter pe- 13. ESP Mirage F1, EF-2000 2006, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 riod it was still challenging to keep the rubber 14. TUR F-16 2006 hangar warm and bright for the maintenance 15. GBR F-3, EF-2000 2004-2005, 2014, 2015, 2016 crews to work on the jets. 16. USA F-16, F-15 2005, 2008, 2010, 2014 – (4+6 x F-15s), 2017 (7 x F-15s) The infrastructure was being developed 17. HUN JAS-39C 2015

October 2018. No 5. 13 The discount is applicable only upon presentation of a service National Defence System employees card. (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 Military Academy 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 Headquar- ters Battalion (GHB). Coordinate with the regional Conscription 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 Motorized Infantry 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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2018. VILNIUS, ANTAKALNIS, ORPHAN CEMETERY... PEOPLE OF LITHUANIA UNANIMOUSLY REJECTED THE DEFAMATION OF VARIOUS WRITERS TO THE REPUTATION OF ADOLFAS RAMANAUSKAS-VANAGAS AND THE PARLIAMENT DID NOT HESITATE TO ANNOUNCE 2018 AS THE YEAR OF ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT PARTISAN COMMANDERS. HOWEVER, ONLY A FEW THOUGHT THAT THE SEARCH FOR REMAINS OF THIS HERO, WHO WAS SHOT IN THE KGB PRISON IN VILNIUS ON NOVEMBER 29, 1957 WAS LASTING FOR ALMOST A DECADE.

fter getting over the euphoria caused the men who precisely and patiently — by mil- ter War" legacy research. What were the by a successful archaeological search, limetre-sized steps — were following the foot- first steps? which was very important to "War Af- prints of Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas and My path to archaeology became a road in Ater War" story, we gathered for a talk at "Karys" other killed resisting fighters remains’ stories, Kernavė. While studying at the Faculty of Histo- office with Gintautas Vėlius, the Associate Pro- which were persistently hidden by the KGB. ry of Vilnius University, I conducted my first ar- fessor at Vilnius University, and Dalius Žygelis, chaeological practices there. Then I got interest- the correspondent of the Military Press Office FROM KERNAVĖ TO PARTISAN ed in the subject of research. I managed to find a of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, and the spe- BUNKERS graveyard of the 14th century in Kernavė, which cialist at Genocide and Resistance Research Gintautas, probably your archaeological I later studied for seven years. Certainly, earlier Center of Lithuania (LGGRTC, Lit.). These are "adventures" did not start with "War Af- than this graveyard was found, archaeological ex-

16 Lithuanian Military Digest Special

cavations took place in the territory of Kernavė town and the settlement (city) of this type was clearly identified. In addition, it was the capital of Lithuania at that time, and it is certainly not worth doubting that there was a place for eternal rest of the townsfolk somewhere nearby. Thus, the research of the Kernavė archeo- logical and historical value complex, in which the graveyard is undoubtedly a very important part, has led to my dissertation and many dif- ferent publications about the city community of the first centuries of the Grand . In essence, Kernavė still remains an inex- haustible archaeological source. This year will be already 39th season, when there, led by scientists, young archeologists will work. Of Gintautas Vėlius course, I will also be there, because the major work related to the history "War After War" is Dalius Žygelis definitely completed this year. related to totalitarianism, repressions, and I would like to emphasize that contempo- crimes against humanity). In the West the ar- rary archaeologists not only explore the culture cheology of modern times has already been forensic archeology. The theoretical and meth- of ancient times from fossils and antiquities, recognized as a branch of archeology science. odological definitions of this archeological but by using archeological methods, in collabo- Based on the experience of the mentioned ar- branch, the possibilities of their application, ration with other specialists, they open up the eas, ten years ago we began to explore the post- allowed us to investigate the partisan bunkers, archeological aspects of modern times, such as war partisan fights of Lithuania. near which the battles with the soviet occupa- conflicts (explorations of fights, clashes, battle D. Žygelis. Incidentally, in the West these tion forces used to take place, also the hideouts places) or the so-called dark heritage (research areas are defined by a more universal term in which the freedom fighters chose to die in

Archaeological research of a unique bunker excavated by mining a shaft of the Eastern ’ Headquarters. On the left is a drawn reconstruction of the bunker.

October 2018. No 5. 17 Special

The beginning of archaeological research in Mėnaičiai. There can be seen an open contour of a bunker, where in February 1949 the congress of all partisan's commanders of Lithuania took place.

"War After War" archaelogical research conducted by the LGGRTC

2004 — search for partisans' remains in the territory of the for- mer MGB (former Ministry of State Security, later renamed to the KGB) headquarters in the territory of Ukmergė. Remains were not found. 2005— search for partisans' remains in trench graves in Vilnius Rasų Cemetary. According to the testimony of witnesses, the partisans who were seriously injured, arrested, treated in Vilnius hospitals, and those who died there, were buried in this cemetary. Supposedly, the burial places of the massive victims of 1940–1941 thypus epidemic were — archaeological research of partisan bunker of Dainava found. 2012 county Genys group, search of remains, exhumation, and anthropological 2007 — search for partisans' remains in Tauragė, the territory of research. Remains were found and re-burried in Perloja cemetery. Subertinė. Remains were not found. 2012 — search of partisans' remains in the territory of armed prosoviet col- 2008 — search for partisans' remains in the territory of Vilnius laborants (stribai, Lit.) of Dusetos. Remains of XVII–XVIII century burried Paneriai forest park. The remains founf were not those of partisans’, but a in unusual poses were discovered. It is noteworthy that unprofessionals massive graveyard of people who were shot down in July, 1941. would certainly regard them as partisans. 2010 — the detailed archaeological research of partisans' bun- 2012 — archaeological recconaissence research on the graves of the Maci- ker in Mėnaičiai village, Radviliškis district, where the declaration of kai war prisoners camp in Armalėnai. February 16, 1949 was signed. 2013 — search of partisans' remains in the former territory of the 2010 — detailed archaeological research of partisans’ bunker in Balan- stribai in Vaiguva. Remains were not found. diškės, Radviliškis district. 2014 — search of partisans' remains in the territory of former 2011 — search of the remains of Jurgis Meška, Great Combat Želmeliškės village, district, based on historical data and testi- County's partisan, in Druskiai village, Molėtai district. Traditional ar- mony of witnesses. The remains were found and re-buried in Švendriškės chaeological methods and georadar were used. Remains were not found. cemetery. 2011–2012 — search of the remains of Dainava county Commander 2014 — detailed archaeological research of the Eastern Lithuania par- Domininkas Jėčys-Ąžuolas and his companions in . Remains were tisan field headquarters’ bunker in Butkiškiai farmstead, Anykščiai dis- not found. trict. This is a unique bunker digged like a tunel underground where Antanas Slučka-Šarūnas and his wife died. After discovering the bunker located in Mikniai homestead, Mėnaičiai. G. Vėlius — first from the left, D. Žygelis — second from the right. Here now stands a reconstructed tiny 2014 — archaeological exploratory research on the graves of the Maci- granary and a former bunker underneath, as well as a memorial for partisans. kai war prisoners camp in Armalėnai. 2015 — detailed archaeological research of bunker of Algiman- tas county headquarters in Šimoniai forest, Anykščiai district. The object of the research was chosen because it was extremely devastated by the so-called black archaeologists. 2016 — detailed archaeological research of the bunker of Vytau- tai local headquarters (Baublys), Dainava district. 2016 — archaeological exploratory research on the graves of Macikai war prisoners camp in Armalėnai. 2017–2018 — the search for remains of Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas (they were found in the Orphan Cemetery in Vilnius) and Antanas Kraujelis-Siaubūnas. Also the research while searching for remains of partisans, which were burried in the territory of armoured prosoviet collaborants in Žaiginys town, district.

18 Lithuanian Military Digest Special

order not to surrender to the enemy, and the ed by initiative of the local authority. The worst But apart from the documents which are burial places of the political prisoners killed by thing is that it was used to be done by a range of being persistently protected by the Kremlin, the Soviet repressive organizations. clueless amateurs. there are also alive witnesses — the most im- Whom do we have to thank for the fact portant part when starting and continuing any that, besides Kernavė, the "War After TRUE DETECTIVE OF THE research. War" appeared in your academic agenda? HISTORY G. V. If we are talking about the KGB docu- G. V. To the research field of "War After The list of your accomplishments, while ments, which had to exist, but they are not in War" I came thanks to Dalius Žygelis — at conducting the research of partisans' Lithuania, it is important to point that the idea the beginning of this century, he already was bunkers, the living conditions there, the to bury the remains of murdered political pri- a long-standing LGGRTC employee and was clashes near the hiding-places and the soners in Orphan Cemetery was not the soviet leading the Live Memory programme. death of freedom fighters is huge. What Lithuania KGB officers' initiative. D. Ž. Basically, the search for partisans' re- are the priority research directions? D. Ž. I remember when we were telling mains was started by the LGGRTC in 2004. G. V. The most important is the search for the peripeteias of the search of Adolfas Ra- According to the testimony of witnesses, the the burial place of dead or murdered partisans. manauskas-Vanagas remains to colleagues from territory of the former Ukmergė MGB build- We already had a number of successful exam- Ukraine, they being greatly surprised admitted ing was then searched for the remains of two ples of such a search, which consistently led us that similar details of the way the remains were dead and, probably, digged there well-known partisans of Vytis district — Adolfas Bareika- Hitleris and Benediktas Narkevičius-Benius. Unfortunately, the attempt was unsuccessful. After many similar searches, Gintautas joined "At least tell where not to search?" us after winning the LGGRTC competition, t is particularly important to emphasize that during the entire period and since 2008, a consistent, targeted epopee after the restoration of Lithuania's independence, here used to live and of the searches of Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vana- are still living former KGB officers who knew exactly where were the gas began. burial places of the freedom fighters (probably also the dead partisans' The first excavations were carried out in Vilnius, in the area of Paneriai Forest Park. Be- Isuch as Antanas Kraujelis-Siaubūnas, who what killed during the KGB hunting) fore starting our research, we collected people's who were shot at the KGB prison since 1954. They were repeatedly asked to bones which were lying on the ground. We saw share this information with researchers, scientists or, at least, relatives of the the so-called trench burials. We verified our deceaseds, but these people deliberately used to refuse to provide any data. version on the basis of the information that Even after being asked at least to say where in Vilnius or its vicinity not to search there might be a massive burial massacre of for "the second Tuskulėnai", they cynically used to shout "not recalling". murdered partisans, which by its size is likely to coincide with the one earlier detected in Tuskulėnai park, close to Vilnius city center. G. V. In 2010, we started a very important, as never-so-consistent, search and research of to the main research of the last decade — the burried can also be traced in Ukraine. Thus, a a particular bunker. This was not an ordinary search for the remains of Adolfas Ramanaus- methodology that was centrally developed and place, but Mėnaičiai village in Radviliškis dis- kas-Vanagas. implemented in the "wider homeland" was ap- trict, where we were looking for the hiding The burial place of the remains of Adolfas plied, which was very macabre and really well place of partisan commanders who signed the Ramanauskas-Vanagas was persistently hid- made. The victims were not dropped into the declaration of February 16, 1949, and estab- den by the still living KGB officers, who at that same pit, for instance, in the Orphan Cemetery lished the united Lithuanian Freedom Strugle time, i.e. since 1956, after the resumption of no outlying spot was chosen — the killed ones Movement (LLKS, Lit.). The results of the the death penalty, were responsible for the so- were burried among legal, cared graves, and search are probably well known to all: it was called burials. Today, we are especially glad that the cemetery itself was chosen where various determined that historical meeting of all Lithu- all their efforts went in vain. medical waste and unidentified people etc. anian partisan commanders in February 1949 D. Ž. Knowing how documented KGB's dil- were burried. took place in Mikniai homestead, Mėnaičiai vil- ligence is, we are sure that the written material But soviets would not be soviets if they lage, Radviliškis district, the former bunker of about where the sentenced to death penalty would not miss something while implement- Resurection county's headquarters. Therefore, political prisoners in Lithuania were buried, ing their horror. This feature of theirs helped this place has acquired a memorial meaning. actually exists, but it is not in Lithuania, more us to grip the finish line of this research. Then- I am happy that exactly this study was the likely in Moscow. However, all those years Rus- employee of LGGRTC Darius Indrišionis who beginning of fully professional archaeological sia did not take even a slighest step to share at was studying the archive of Ministry of Internal "War After War" research, mostly focusing on least a snippest of that data, which would have Affairs (VRM, Lit.) of soviet Lithuania, which bunkers and unknown burials. Until then not really faciliated basically all the historical "War together with the KGB's documents were not using any academic methodology, the traces of After War" research. What does it show? It is brought to Mosow, noticed that since 1956 the victimis of the repressive soviet organiza- obvious that the Kremlin now is still afraid of there are a lot of coincidences when death tions were mostly searched by the families of our freedom fights' heroes, even though at least penalty for the criminals in Lukiškės prison the killed ones, or research used to be conduct- 50 years have passed after their death. and analogous punishment for the political

October 2018. No 5. 19 Special

executed in the KGB prison, the death penalty in Lukiškės prison is likely to be executed for two criminals. Then, together with Gintautas and Eugenijus Peikštenis, Director of the Mu- seum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, we went to the Orphan Cemetery for the first time. G. V. Another detail mixed into our re- search almost at the same time as the as- sumption about the possible cooperative bury — former Orphan Cemetery guard and grave-digger. It would have been impossible to organize archaeological research on the basis of the version proposed only by D. Indrišionis, because the area of Orphan Cemetery is huge, therefore, it is understandable that without ac- curate references, the work would be hopeless. In addition, there is a strong moral aspect: the aforementioned cemeteries have been closed very recently, only between 1970 and 1973, so there still are visited and maintained graves — digging everything in a row would simply be unethical. D. Ž. The cemetery guard in this detective story is an extraordinary character. Very shortly after the initial inspection of the cemetery and making sure that the assumed search area is huge, further intensive search was conducted for information that could provide more clues about the location of the burial site of Adol- fas Ramanauskas-Vanagas remains. And just at that time, witnesses turned to us, giving us the much needed hints. The most important of them — the son of a political prisoner who was shot in the KGB prison in 1958. It turns out that the neighbour of this man's father in the soviet times, probably, feeling his impend- ing death, told him where the shot father was buried exactly. "Detective lions" have probably already realized that a shot political prisoner, a father of a witness, and guard of the Orphan Cemetery were neighbours. So, they lived in Tramvajai street, Antakalnis, Vilnius. This street is strategically ideal for the cemetery guard — it locates nearby his work... According to the testimony of a political prisoner's son, his father with a cemetery guard was on good terms, but after the father's ar- rest the guard began to behave weird — was silent like with water in the mouth. In the so- viet times, the KGB used to hide the arrested Finding the remains of Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas on June 1, 2018. people's fates, especially the places they were buried, thus the obscurity and fear was always there. What the poor cemetery guard had to prisoners in KGB prison have been conducted the executioners should even bother by diging go through when to his prepared grave (the on the same day. 13 such coincidences were de- up the separate pits?! And in the archive of number of burial places needed was usually termined in the period of 1956–1969. This of soviet VRM the bury places of criminals have indicated by the KGB at daytime and at night course is not the most important, but it is suf- been indicated... they used to bring the bodies of the shot ones) ficient quantity, which allows to raise a hypoth- We immediately noticed that on the same was droped with the body of his neighbour?! esis about the cooperative bury place — why day when Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas was Besides, he clearly understood that for reveal-

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ing this kind of information he would face the G. V. A meaningful starting point were Orphan Cemetery. Besides, the inventory was analogous fate, thus almost until the very end Orphan Cemetery's inventory checking docu- made in 1962, which means that the remains of of his life he did not tell anything to anybody. ments, conducted in 1962: a rather clear plan Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas, who have been Only after he felt death knocking on his doors, for a particular territory has been drawn up executed in 1957, were already buried in the i. e. in 8th decade of 20th century, he commited and each grave in it is briefly described, for cemetery, as we assumed. to tell the oppressive secret about his unfortu- example: "a sandy knoll, good condition"; "a Therefore, in 2017 we began the archaelogi- nate neighbour, who have been buried in the sandy knoll, bad condition"; "wooden cross, cal research, the initial stage of which was not Orphan Cemetery, to decedent's son. Insis- name, surname" and so on. Of course, all of yet directly targeted to find the remains of tently asking not to tell anybody, he showed a this was written in . The most Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas. At first basing specific place. important is that this plan has revealed to us a not only on the reports of witnesses but also This entrusted secret, without telling any- clear picture of the "legal" graves of that time. on archaelogical data, it was necessary to prove one, even his family, the son of a political pris- We compared it with nowadays picutre of the the fact that KGB was willingly burrying the oner was carrying in his heart until 2012, but after a decline in health he commited to tell this story to his daughter. And exactly this hero of our history, knowing her granfather's story, came to the Museum of Occupations and Free- dom Fights, and in the former execution cham- ber of the KGB prison she realized that her grandfather lost his life precisely here. Without a doubt, she reached out to the LGGRTC with a request to conduct a search of her grandfa- ther's, mentioned political prisoner, remains. We were concerned whether her father was still alive because this man could point to a place in the Orphan Cemetery, which was shown to him by the cemetery guard, who died a long time ago. Since we were used to hearing negative responses, we were just shocked when we found out that the man was alive. Shortly after that we already knew an approximate lo- cation, where by conducting our research we were expecting to find proof that in the KGB prison shot political prisoners were burried in the Orphan Cemetery. In addition, the son of a shot political prisoner told that he was grow- ing up with the son of a cemetery guard during his childhood and that he knows that the lat- ter is still alive. The meeting with the cemetery guard's son revealed even more interesting details, because he used to help his father and therefore he still recalls the details of fulfilling KGB's orders. The testimony of this witness clearly con- firmed that the remains of political prisoners actually used to be buried in the Orphan Cem- etery in Antakalnis. Undoubtedly, even though the location was just approximate, it already al- lowed us to think about starting the archaelogo- cial research. It also was a very important clue while studying cemetery plans, which, as well as burial books, we were given by the cemetery administration of Rokantiškės, which is cur- rently taking care of Orphan Cemetery. Now the most important was to go deep into these documents, compare the sequence of burial with the executions' dates, and try to grasp the KGB logic carefully concealing the traces of its activities.

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bodies of killed political prisoners exactly here. In this way we tried to either localize or deter- mine a sequence of such buryings. It was very important how the bodies were buried: a sepa- rate pit was assigned for each of them or they The plan of Orphan cemetery were dropped together (e.g. as in Tuskulėnai), which was made during soviet times. An arrow marks the or burried exactly as much people were ex- place which was identified by ecuted in KGB and Lukiškės prisons on that G. Vėlius and D. Žygelis as a day. Of course, in that year, we were very much pit where remains of Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas were concerned about finding the remains of the af- burried. ermentioned political prisoner — the grandfa- ther of the witness, who contacted us. D. Ž. A lot of anxiety was raised by the words of the son of the cemetery guard: "When the order to prepare the burial place was ur- gent, we used to dig not in a sequential order alongside other burials but knowing where it was hard to dig, we were choosing a lighter soil". Thus it meant that, for example, the burial place of the remains of Adolfas Ramanauskas- Vanagas might be out of the sequence, which can be determined by matching the shooting date, the old plans of the cemetery, and the data of the archive of the soviet Lithuanian Ministry of Interior. G. V. Since 1960, in the cemetery book ap- peared the records not only with the informa- tion who and from where was brought to be buried, but also the burial place was indicated (e.g. "from the main path to the left, fifth grave", of course everything was written in Russian and only the abbreviations were used). Un- doubtedly, such records used to be made only about the "legal" burials, but it helped a lot when choosing a starting point of the first exca- viations, although it took a long time to encode such "writings". Later after comparing these records with the cemetery's inventory check- ing plan from 1962, emerged those, as we then

called, hidden places, where, probably, the remains of political prisoners and criminals were burried. To our surprise, already in the first excaviations' stretch the remains of shot people were detected. Therefore, in essence during the first stage of ar- chaelogical research it was answered to all of the questions and in that way confirmed every assumption that have been made. Simply saying, after digging up a possible burial place, in the pit we were finding two to three bodies, i.e. the amount that were executed in a par-

X-ray photos of Adolfas Ramanauskas- Vanagas’s skull, that have remained in the Lithuanian Special Archive.

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ticular day, randomly tossed in a pit with their first phase had already come to an end, we were skulls being shot. Of course, we did not find any informed that, in the absence of the research coffins. group, outside of the Orphan Cemetery's Being aware that since 1956 until 1969, borders was marked an exact place where, al- in total 207 people were shot and seeing that legedly, the remains of Adolfas Ramanauskas- there were more than one body per pit we start- Vanagas were buried. Unfortunately, we did ed thinking about the future DNA tests. Such not have a chance to talk with this person. bury method makes the initial identification His shown place was in the forest next to the of the searched remains much easier. For in- cemetery, relatively far from our expected stance, knowing that on the same day as Adol- burial place of the Commander-in-Chief of the fas Ramanauskas-Vanagas was killed, 20-year- Armed Forces of the LLKS. old and 60-year-old criminals were also shot, G. V. It is likely that this was a desperate at- finding the "triple" burial place it is possible to tempt to direct the research in the wrong direc- anthropologically identify the victims' age by tion, because it took about four hours until we their physical characteristics alone. discovered that this anonymous version is just We understood that the remains were filled a hoax. Besides, we knew that we were look- up with some kind of chemicals, probably in ing in the right place. However, we wondered order to complicate any possible identifica- why the forces, which had been hiding the facts tion — KGB already then hid their crimes. In known only to them for so many years, now addition, above almost every burial place, i.e. take such a powerless action. already mentioned hidden place, in a lower In spring 2018 with the research team we depth there were plenty of medical waste (vari- returned to the Orphan Cemetery, already ous body parts, etc.). purposefully searching for the remains of Ad- However, step by step the Orphan Cemtery olfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas. At first, using the opened up more and more of its secrets. For acceptance-rejection method we checked two example, we found remains, to which the silver possible versions on the edges of the cemetery. belt buckle with the , Then, after summing up all the data we had, on Iron Wolf and monogram was attached. Bear- 1 June 2018 we found a pit with the remains ing in mind that it was forbidden for prisoners of three people. For the sake of clarity, we have to have such things, it can be assumed that the also dig out the nearby burials in order to make bodies of partisans who were defeated in fights, sure if it is in line with the established scheme. arrest operations or tortured in prisons were It was in the middle pit with remains of 20, 60 brought to be buried to this cemetery. and 40 years old men. Fortunately, they were Besides, such destiny could have also hap- not damaged by any kind of chemical, but the pened to the Commander-in-Chief of the third person was hid a little deeper under the Armed Forces of the LLKS, if he, after the ini- first two. This discovery was made by calculat- tial "interrogation" immediately after the arrest ing where may be the burials of the people shot on the way from Kaunas to Vilnius would not in 1957, and Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas have regained his consciousness. However, that year was the eleventh person to whom the somebody did not hesitate to publicly claim death sentence was implemented. that Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas got injured D. Ž. It does not matter to whose provi- by himself... dence we can thank, that the X-ray photo of Thus, the primary stage of the archaeological Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas's skull was pre- research in 2017 has opened the way for further served in the Lithuanian Special Archive, which calculations. As a consequence, we managed the KGB, perhaps, made in order to determine to eliminate plenty of graveyards according to what injuries the partisan General suffered the shooting date and the burial sequence of after these initial "interrogations". Certain ex- 1957, also to focus on identification of the pos- ceptional anthropological features in the cem- sible burial place of the remains of Adolfas Ra- etery allowed us to boldly assume that we have manauskas-Vanagas in the cemetery's plan. found the remains of Adolfas Ramanauskas- D. Ž. It lasted the entire 2017–2018 winter. Vanagas. DNA tests (as if foreboded, we took Milimeter by milimeter in the plans of the cem- DNA samples of the daughter of partisan Gen- etery we tried as accurately as possible to deter- eral Auksutė Ramanauskaitė-Skokauskienė The matching of the skull and the photograph is one of mine where the remains of partisans' General and brother Albinas Ramanauskas in autumn the important steps in determining the identity of the found remains. can be. In the spring of 2018, already having 2017) and forensic medicine confirmed this enough accurate data, we started the second fact, which was announced to the public on 7 Photo credits: Srg. Sp. I. Budzeikaitė, V. Balkūnas, phase of archaeological research. June this year. D. Žygelis, personal archive of A. Ramanauskaitė- I would like to tell you an interesting epi- Skokauskienė, and Lithuanian Special Archive. sode: In the fall of 2017, when the work of the Darius Varanavičius Drawing of R. Vėliūtė.

October 2018. No 5. 23 Photo credit: Srg. Sp. Ieva Budzeikaitė Ieva Sp. credit: Srg. Photo

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