2020. No 1 (20)

Home , Eberhard Zorn, Lithuanian Armed Forces, Rukla, Vilnius County

JANUARY 2020. NO 1 (20).

NEWS

DOES THE US ARMY HAVE ENOUGH WEAPONS TO DEFEND EUROPE?

WALKING THE LINE WITH RUSSIA

"The enhanced presence

NATO'S PRESENCE is a true successes" CHIEF OF DEFENCE OF GERMANY GENERAL EBERHARD ZORN HAS PESCO – NETWORK OF CONDUCTED A FORMAL VISIT TO LITHUANIA. HE DISCUSSED MILITARY LOGHUBS IN EUROPE AND COOPERATION OF LITHUANIA AND GERMANY, ACTIVITY OF THE NATO SUPPORT TO OPERATIONS ENHANCED FORWARD PRESENCE BATTALION BATTLE GROUP, EXERCISES AND JOINT PROJECTS AT A MEETING WITH CHIEF OF DEFENCE OF LITHUANIA LIEUTENANT GENERAL VALDEMARAS RUPŠYS.

What would be your insights about the nations is highly interesting for our soldiers. German-lead NATO eFP Battle Group They are very motivated came to Lithuania mission in Lithuania now? not only for the professional purposes, but to A substantial progress was made since my participate in various regional events like the last visit to the multinational battle group last Baltic Way Run or Kaunas freedom picnic as year here in Lithuania. I can mention such well. I am so glad to see that the true friend- SPECIAL examples as establishment of a medical fa- ship has involved between the soldiers form cility in Rukla, creation of a very successful all the nations working there. This friendship LITHUANIAN DETECTIVE OF FB page to enhance the public visibility, also made an important role in strengthening THE GERMAN OFFICER there was a series of exercises conducted as a peace and stability here in the Baltic region, fulfillment or our profession. therefore the enhanced presence is a true suc- I am proud to see how successful the cesses and a clear demonstration of NATO forces from Lithuania, Germany, Norway, alliance solidarity. Island, the Netherlands, Check Republic and Belgium are working together. We can What are the perspectives and the ne- share experience with our partners and learn arest plans for the NATO eFP Battle from each other. Very often there are some Group? smart solutions found to improve our own The rotations will change from January, procedures. Working together with different See page 2 News

"The enhanced presence Content NEWS is a true successes" "THE ENHANCED PRESENCE IS A TRUE SUCCESSES"...... 1,2

DOES THE US ARMY HAVE ENOUGH WEAPONS TO DEFEND EUROPE? EXERCISE DEFENDER 2020 WILL REVEAL...... 3

WALKING THE LINE WITH RUSSIA...... 4,5

TRUMP WANTS NATO TO BE MORE INVOLVED IN THE MIDDLE EAST...... 6,7

GEOGRAPHICALLY VAST AND NUMEROUS TRIBUTE RUN...... 8

MILITARY COOPERATION OF LITHUANIA AND GERMANY DISCUSSED IN VILNIUS...... 9

LITHUANIANS’ SERVICE WAS OUTSTANDING...... 10

THE LITHUANIAN MILITARY ACADEMY From page 1 WILL HOST THE BALTIC MILITARY but we are going to stay in Lithuania with all our Battle Group, as it is CONFERENCE...... 11 planned in NATO agenda and in our national plans as well. It’s the main effort for us. IN SHORT Regarding to this context, I‘d like to emphasize an importance of exercises "Defender", which will be organized in 2020. During them the NATO DAYS IN KĖDAINIAI AND BIRŽAI...... 12 USA will move their troops from their country through all the Europe, Germany and to the Eastern part of Europe. We will provide our host AWARD CEREMONY IN RUKLA...... 13 nation support and logistic support in Germany, also there will be a link to the enhanced presence element in Lithuania. So we hope to improve NATO'S PRESENCE our planning mechanism, because a lot of NATO forces are going to participate, including reserve forces and NRF. I think that we will prove a PESCO – NETWORK OF LOGHUBS IN EUROPE support from the European side to Lithuania and the other partners here AND SUPPORT TO OPERATIONS...... 14 in this region. From the transatlantic perspective "Defender 2020" will be helpful to establish links with the USA and Canada, so overall I find NATO'S PRESENCE these exercises to be very important for the whole region. LITHUANIAN DETECTIVE OF THE GERMAN How can you evaluate common training of the German and OFFICER...... 20 Lithuanian soldiers here in Lithuania? In each contingent and rotation we have the certification process and I am so happy that our common training has such a good results. Our soldiers recently were rewarded by certifying that they are combat ready. They really deserved it. Military Press Office of Lithuanian Armed Forces Totorių str. 25, LT-01121, Vilnius; Do you have any plans for investments into a military infra- Phone (370 5) 210 3897, GSM (370 6) 86 94458; fax (370 5) 273 5550; structure in Lithuania? Email [email protected] We have planned to improve buildings and infrastructure of the garri- Publisher — Lithuanian Armed Forces. The opinion of editorial office does not necessarily coin- son where we are located. One part of it was a medical facility which 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, we have built last year, but we have to set the budget and make planning Domeikava, LT-54359 Kaunas dist. Order GL-59. procedures in Germany to move on. Lithuanian Armed Forces inf. Photo credits: Alfredas Pliadis (MoD) and Sgt FC Spc Ieva Budzeikaitė

2 Lithuanian Military Digest News

Does the US Army have enough weapons to defend Europe? Exercise Defender 2020 will reveal he U.S. Army’s division-scale Euro- pean exercise coming in 2020 will tell the service whether it has its Eu- Tropean ready-to-go weapons stocks right when it comes to inventory, quantity and positioning throughout the continent. Defender Europe is set to be the third-largest military exercise on the continent since the Cold War and will test the Army’s ability to deliver a force from the United States to operational areas throughout Europe from Germany to Poland to the Baltic states and other Eastern European nations as well as Nordic countries and even Georgia. "We will closely assess two aspects of [Army pre-positioned stock] during Defender: The ef- ficiency of our issue and turn-in processes and whether troops have the right equipment with the right combat enablers for their mission and "Overall, the exercise is all about seeing our- AMC is also analyzing the state of its infra- theater," Gen. Gus Perna, Army Materiel Com- selves and understanding where we have gaps," structure and processes at its logistics readiness mand chief, told Defense News in written res- Perna said. "We have made great progress in centers, railheads, airfields and ports — which ponses to questions. supply availability, but we expect this exercise will be critical to the Army’s strategic readiness The Army spent the last several years trying to to stretch the supply chain and provide an indi- that will be put to the test during the exercise, predict and establish the right size and balance of cation of where we must focus efforts." Perna said. capabilities and position when it comes to Army During Defender, the Army Materiel Com- Meanwhile, AMC is also figuring out how to pre-positioned stock, or APS, in Europe. mand, or AMC, enterprise will exercise how it tackle Defender Pacific, a similar exercise in the The exercise will "validate our ability to moves soldiers and equipment from "installa- Indo-Pacific theater that will take place later in draw, employ and turn in full unit, configured- tions to the foxhole," Perna said. the year at a smaller scale. for-combat [APS]," Perna said. "For the past With that, the service has developed a fa- "Defender Pacific will have added chal- three years, we have been focused on adding cilities infrastructure investment plan across all lenges due to the sheer difference in timing combat enablers such as communications, sur- its installations. Perna expects the exercise will and distances, as well as terrain," Perna said. veillance and weapons systems on our APS sets stress the Army’s power projection infrastruc- "We will have to move troops and equipment to ensure they are ready for the fight as soon as ture, and reveal structures and facilities that may much farther than in the European theater, troops draw them." need to be prioritized or moved down on the list. which means it will take more time to get Part of the exercise will test the Army’s abi- At installations, AMC is assessing if the Ar- there." lity to mobilize and move troops rapidly into my’s training ranges, motor pools, supply sup- That means, for logisticians and maintai- position in Europe, simulating a response to a port activities, and other infrastructure and pro- ners, predicting requirements much further crisis where time is of the essence. cesses can keep up and are modernized to take out, he added. "We do not want troops spending time on a challenge like Defender, according to Perna. Additionally, communications will be a working on their equipment be- challenge with a 14-hour time dif- fore they can move to the fight; ference. "The exercise will put to the we need to provide them the ca- test our 24-hour operations center pability to arrive, do a status check and support systems," he said. to ensure everything works and The Pacific also requires diffe- move to the frontlines within 72 rent weapon systems and combat hours," Perna said. enablers in its APS. And unique to "We have worked hard on im- the Pacific will be a chance to test proving APS configuration," the the Army’s sealift capabilities as op- officer added. "This exercise will posed to the rails and roads in Eu- show us what work remains." rope. Defender 2020 will also chal- www.defensenews.com lenge the entire logistics and sup- Photo credits: Maj Tomas Balkus, ply chain. eFP Latvia

January 2020. No 1. 3 News Walking the line with Russia

oland has inked deals for several big- developed by PIT-RADWAR SA — part of seas. With the F-35, it’s balancing between ticket items from the U.S., and signed the government-owned Polish Armaments investing in the national industry and pum- a pact with the U.S. to host 4,500 Group], so there’s more technical discus- ping energy into the Polish economy. So our rotationalP American military personnel. Also sion needed. But the decision was absolutely modernization program is not only about endearing itself to Washington, Poland is one made, and there’s no question it’s a very high certain capability we’re going to the shop and of seven NATO allies to spend 2 percent of its priority to secure critical infrastructure and buying, but also rebuilding and investing. gross domestic product on defense. military formations in high intensity conflict. What I really like is we changed our ap- On the sidelines of the Halifax Interna- The second biggest project is the F-35. proach, and there’s strong support from the tional Security Forum last month, the chief So we have 32 airplanes — that’s our assess- Ministry of Defence’s R&D department. of the Polish armed forces, Gen. Rajmund ments of what we need, and additional F-16 And we have some areas that are absolutely Andrzejczak, discussed the military’s re- squadrons for the transition. We really want incredible: Small-class UAVs, and Poland has cently completed modernization plans and to cancel all the former Russian airplanes, these radars that are high quality. defense ties with the U.S. [including] the MiG-29 and Sukhoi-22. The Poland also intends to host the Defender HiMARS, the long-range artillery systems, On the idea of phasing out Russian 2020 exercise in spring 2020, one of the lar- up to the 300 kilometers, is very high in the equipment, is Poland still using an array gest deployments of U.S. forces to Europe priorities. of capabilities bought from Russia in the since the Cold War. Approximately 37,000 of So that’s the capability approach, but past? combined U.S. and allied troops are expected another very important priority is heavily Tanks, T-72s... to participate. investing in our national industry. And for a couple of years, we lived in a completely dif- Do some of those defense relationships The head of the Polish Ministry of De- ferent dimension, being engaged in Afgha- still exist because of a need for spare fence recently signed a new technical nistan and Iraq, and also decreasing numbers parts, maybe? modernization plan. What are some of of our troops. Russia disappeared from the We’re trying to avoid buying [Russian equip- its goals? What kinds of equipment does radar. So we lost not only certain numbers ment]. Like helicopters, the Mi-24, we’re Poland hope to develop under that plan of equipment but also industrial capability. looking for a completely different markets and what opportunities does it present to It takes time, and it could be painful, so I’m like Ukraine. To be independent in these industry? saying it clearly: If you really want to rebuild, areas is absolutely critical. But talking about The first priority of course will be air defense it will take years, money, experts — and, of scale, we still have 500 T-72s, half of them systems — Patriot batteries for preventing course, everything is operating in a non-per- modernized up to PT-91 version, which is the airstrikes as well as the missiles. We have missive environment. the Polish upgrade version of a T-72. So we some challenges with IBCS [a Northrop But we have to balance between critical say we need good-enough equipment, and Grumman-made command and control sys- capabilities produced in Poland — like small we would like to rebuild our reserve divi- tem, dubbed the Integrated Battle Command arms, rifles or pistols and individual equip- sions, and this type of equipment will be ab- System], as well as the radars [Polish radars ment — and the slim chance for sales over- solutely perfect for those divisions.

4 Lithuanian Military Digest News

So there is a balance between cancelling an economical approach, and the minister experimental exercises and that’s what I’m Soviet equipment and still keeping certain of defense recently announced a new agency thinking about. So, we don’t expect the Rus- areas. Those are two big systems you cannot with the PGZ, which is our armament group. sian tanks tomorrow. change in one day. They’re trying to build a new organization to be more effective, because it’s not an issue We reported recently there were two let- There was, in September, a U.S.-Polish of money — we have enough money — it’s ters of request from Poland to the U.S. to joint declaration on advancing defense about using it properly. purchase Javelin man-portable anti-tank cooperation. That was chiefly about bas- The general staff is responsible for plan- systems, and also C-130 transport air- ing and force posture, but was there any ning and programming so we have to see craft. How does that fit into the current component concerning defense indus- ahead for 15 years and define the capability concept of operations? trial cooperation? that we need, and then a minister of defense The Javelins, because there’s still a lack of That was about the U.S. presence in Poland. is responsible for building the acquisition enough anti-tank equipment, when you con- Discussions and social media are focused on systems. sider credible numbers of Russian tanks. We the numbers of [U.S.] troops and tanks, and still have Spikes [an Israeli fire-and-forget we’re increasing numbers of troops, but from What is the scenario that you’re looking anti-tank and anti-personnel missile], which a military perspective, the infrastructure is to the MoD to address and build to? are very effective, but they are much more much more important. Maybe it doesn’t We still have scenarios on the map right now sophisticated, and it requires simulators, sound sexy, but military mobility, combat for conventional use, for the hybrid crisis, training. For a big army, internal defense or training centers and storage for ammunition for a purely Polish approach and the NATO short training, you need fire-and-forget, so and equipment are much more important scenario. But what I decided is probably the the Javelins will be balancing and filling the than numbers. We need infrastructure for a future is much more complex, and we start- gap into [short] range systems, for special brigade combat team, for divisional head- ed a much wider discussion, and I set up a forces and internal defense. The C-130, the quarters, for intelligence assets, UAS systems, micro, special think tank. So I’m sending my big challenge is with transportation. Every- for special forces and especially for training. requirements and there’s a connection of dif- body’s suffering and we would really appre- The training command center will also be a ferent civilian experts. So we’re discussing, ciate if there were some Hercules’ available. place for integration in a crisis, if required. We first, demographic issues because we see Poland is not only at home base. We have in don’t want to have U.S. soldiers going back to a decline in the number of Polish citizens Lebanon, a contingent [for a United Nations Germany for training, right? It doesn’t make as a big risk — millions less by 2050. So it peace mission]. We have a NATO initiative, any sense. We will then have, you know, joint means a completely different approach to re- European Union and bilateral operations. combined training with Poland and Ameri- cruitment, but also robotics — not because If you have missions, like my operation can troops, and of course any other allies. it sounds sexy, or it looks nice, but because commander does, in the Balkans, Iraq and there’ll be [fewer workers]. Afghanistan, transportation is critical. We There are airfields all over eastern Eu- So that’s my approach, parallel to classical made a decision in the past and now we’re rope that the United States wants to planning and programming the acquisition suffering. The [EADS CASA C-295], which build, seemingly to send a signal to Rus- programs, and the assessed environment. is really a small class, is still good enough, but sia that if U.S. aviation was ever used in a The second area for my think tank is urbani- Hercules is really a big horse. conflict it wouldn’t have to go all the way zation and understanding cities. If military back to Germany to be refueled because equipment is going to operate in a mega Big picture question: As the U.S. invests it could stop in Romania. What kind of city, it requires an understanding of food, in infrastructure in Poland, how much signal do you think it sends east that the energy services, water, sanitation, 5G [com- does Poland look to what’s happening in U.S. is making these investments? munications networking] and so on — and South Korea right now, where the U.S. is The level of determination is absolutely high, of course, climate change and new technolo- renegotiating the cost for its continued our approach to the security is serious. So, we gies. We’re using [NATO’s] Allied Command presence? Does Poland say, "This could don’t want to ignite anything, I don’t want Transformation as well, and we’re discussing be us?" to go too far. But from a Polish perspective, bilaterally with our friends, especially the With these infrastructure investments in Po- engaging Russians, they respect only hard Baltic states. land, even if the world changes and the U.S. assets and numbers and power. So we have goes somewhere else, we will still have the to build this infrastructure just as an option. You’re doing a lot of deep thinking about infrastructure, the combat training centers, And when we see the exercises, Zapad, and long-term problems, but how big of an the storage, the highways, runways — dou- Russia’s activity in the cyber domain, I would impact in the near term do you see with ble-use. We have values, we have a respon- say, wake up. It’s real, it’s not for training. We Russia and its actions in Crimea? What sible approach to securing the area. [The don’t want to to be surprised. are your immediate concerns? joke is] gentlemen never talk about money, Readiness, readiness and readiness again. but sometimes it’s good to send a signal to What is the status of the Patriot sales and We have what we have, and I have to orga- say ‘gentlemen, we have the money, we de- the Wisla medium range air and missile nize properly for two scenarios. I have to add cided to pay 2 percent.’ Some of us are pay- defense program? 22,000 troops in two years. ing, some of us not. But I’m really optimistic In Poland, we are trying to change our ac- What’s most important is the ability to about what I see right now. quisitions systems. We didn’t realize it would protect small, effective elements as quick as www.defensenews.com cost so much money, so we are looking for possible. So, last year, we had a number of Photo credit: www.defensenews.com

January 2020. No 1. 5 News

Trump wants NATO to be more involved in the Middle East s the American-Iranian crisis shows Jens Stoltenberg in which Trump "asked the as outdated and lambasting allies for what he signs of de-escalation, U.S. President secretary general for NATO to become more consider a lack of burden-sharing and defense Donald Trump announced plans to involved in the Middle East." spending. Aask NATO allies to step up efforts in the Mid- The two men "agreed that NATO could con- "Trump has little credibility to be asking dle East — at a time the alliance members may tribute more to regional stability and the fight NATO to do more, having mostly bashed the be especially reluctant to get involved. against international terrorism," per the NATO organization for years," said Erik Brattberg, "Today, I am going to ask NATO to become readout of the call. "They also agreed to stay in director of the Carnegie Endowment for Inter- much more involved in the Middle East pro- close contact on the issue." national Peace’s Europe Program. "While some cess," Trump said in his national address. The For that to happen, analysts agree Trump NATO leaders, like [French President Emma- president also called for "the United Kingdom, has his work cut out for him in convincing nuel Macron], have called for a stronger NATO Germany, France, Russia and China" to "break skeptical allies to invest more in a region that is role in the Middle East and North Africa, most away from the remnants of the Iran deal, or far from the North Atlantic. leaders are skeptical. At the recent NATO JCPOA, and we must all work together toward Broadly speaking, alliance members are meeting in London, alliance leaders made clear making a deal with Iran that makes the world a more concerned with Russia than the Middle their primary focus is deterring Russia, not de- safer and more peaceful place." East. They have supported American opera- ploying in the Middle East." While it’s unclear what he meant by "Middle tions in Iraq and Afghanistan largely out of a Jim Townsend, a former Pentagon official East process," it appears Trump wants NATO desire to be seen as supporting Washington. now with the Center for a New American Se- to have a greater presence in the region. An al- But that becomes even more complicated given curity, was more blunt, saying Trump’s com- liance spokesperson said Trump had a phone Trump’s tense relationship with the alliance; ments show administration officials "still don’t call Wednesday with NATO Secretary General he has spent his presidency describing NATO get what NATO does."

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"They crap on NATO and allies, and then especially if it means deploying more European that JCPOA is over, how are we going to be to- when they need friends they turn to NATO, forces to the region only days after a number of gether, whether its sanctions or other sorts of even when what they need help doing should nations announced they were suspending ope- economic, diplomatic pressures on Iran to give be done by others," Townsend said. "I can’t rations in Iraq over safety concerns. up their nuclear program truly, but also address imagine what they think NATO is going to do." "It’s not good enough for the president to the other issues?" Thornberry added. Chris Skaluba, a former Defense Depart- say he wants Europe more involved," Skaluba Should the administration manage to ment official who now works at the Atlantic said. "The U.S. is going to have to present a wrangle the alliance, questions remain about Council, warned the killing of Iranian Gen. Qa- framework for what that [might] look like, what NATO members are willing to do. Bratt- sem Soleimani last week in a U.S. airstrike likely be specific of what it wants and then do the berg expects the alliance’s role will "continue to makes Europeans more hesitant to get involved hard diplomacy to convince nations to get on be limited to small-scale training operations," in the region. board. A lot of that takes place capital to capi- such as the mission associated with combating "The Suleimani killing has really upset tal and secretary to secretary. Once you have the Islamic State group. them, in the sense that they didn’t get the momentum among key allies, you can bring it Skaluba, for his part, doesn’t see "any pros- heads up for something that was clearly going to NATO and push NATO to broad action." pects for NATO to do anything immediately to be a major escalation," Skaluba said. "There However, Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, in terms of sending troops, but I do suspect if is a general unhappiness with what has hap- said the president’s goal of expanding Europe’s this becomes a sustained sort of conflict, you pened, aimed at the Trump administration. involvement in Mideast security is "really im- will see NATO, or at least individual nations, So I don’t think the Europeans are necessarily portant." more involved than they are right now." But he waiting around hoping Washington will call "There’s been some divisions because of also said NATO plays an important role as a and ask for help." differences of opinion over the JCPOA," said "forum" for discussing the region. Added Brattberg: "Trump’s unilateral han- Thornberry, the ranking member on the House "It’s a readymade place where 29 allies, par- dling of the Iran situation and the recent esca- Armed Services Committee. "So that’s done ticularly the big ones, have a venue to get to- lation means that Europeans are even less likely now. To be effective when it comes to Iran, we gether and talk about what is happening and try to want to get involved militarily in the Middle need to have our European and other rallies to figure out best actions for both NATO and East. If Trump pulls out of Iraq or Syria, it will with us — NATO, being together, our Middle individual members," he said. "So I do think it’s be virtually impossible for Europeans to keep Eastern friends and allies being together. I a forum for consultation on Iran and the Middle troops in those places." think that can make for a much more effective East. Using it that way makes a ton of sense." That means the administration is going to policy." www.defensenews.com need a strong diplomatic strategy if it wants Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "has a lot Photo credit: www.defensenews.com, NATO to line up with a harder line against Iran, of work to do with NATO allies on: OK, now www.flickr.com

January 2020. No 1. 7 News

Geographically vast and numerous tribute run

n January 11 the international tribu- "I am grateful to be able to join this special wearing the Lithuanian tricolor or forget-me- te run called "On the path of life and event which is of great importance to our brave not badges, some even accompanied by their death" was held as a living tradition host nation. That was challenging physically four-legged runners. Oto honor the defenders of Lithuania’s freedom but the reasons of the event make up for every- A big gang of personnel of the U.S. Embassy and in memory of the tragic events that took thing," members of the NATO enhance For- in Lithuania took part, as well as allied soldiers place 29 years ago. The tribute run is organized ward Presence Battalion Battle Group, German deployed in Lithuania, members of the NATO to express respect and gratefulness to the 13 Lt Col Jörg Becker said after the event. enhanced Forward Presence Battalion from January 1991 victims. The event was attended Approximately 8,165 people of different several European countries. by Minister of National Defence Raimundas ages and paths of life, residents and guests of First participants to reach the finish line re- Karoblis, representatives of the Ministry of Na- Vilnius, ran the 9 km distance on the streets ceived commemorative medals from and were tional Defence, Lithuanian Armed Forces, and of Vilnius from Antakalnis (Karių kapų str.) congratulated by Minister of National Defence NATO allies — they paid respects to the free- to Karoliniškės iki Karoliniškių (Sausio Raimundas Karoblis. dom defenders at Antakalnis Cemetery and 13-osios str.) to honour the Lithuanian free- The largest crowd of Lithuanian Armed greeted participants of the event at the foot of dom defenders. The route in the streets of Forces representatives, more than 3 thousand the Vilnius TV Tower. Vilnius is run every year by members of dif- troops, came from the Lithuanian Armed For- A special spirit of unity and patriotism con- ferent authorities, organisations, education ces. According to tradition, Iron Will statuette nected participants of the traditional international establishments, or sports clubs from Lithu- awards were presented to Land Force soldiers tribute run, "Path of Life and Death" was attended ania and abroad. They were accompanied by for best physical fitness results in their age by 8,165, a record number of runners from 23 the military, police, firefighters, state border groups. counties, this year. More than 80 people also took guard, prosecutors, riflemen, scouts, pupils "Our Armed Forces have significantly part in analogous runs in 11 foreign countries. and students, seniors and regular runners, improved over the 30 years. We have new

8 Lithuanian Military Digest News Military cooperation of Lithuania and Germany discussed in Vilnius n January 7 Vice Minister of Na- tional Defence Vytautas Umbrasas met with member of the Defence OCommittee of Germany’s Bundestag (Parlia- ment) Dr Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann to discuss defence cooperation between Ger- many and Lithuania. Vice Minister of National Defence V. Umb- rasas underscored the importance of allies in Lithuania and the scope of positive impact of Germany’s support to Lithuania. "We highly appreciate Germany’s leadership to the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Bat- talion Battle Group Lithuania, it significantly contributes to the security in the Baltic Sea region," he said. Member of the Bundestag thanked for the support to the German military personnel serving in Lithuania. According to the guest, the assistance from Germany to Lithuania strengthened freedom and peace across Eu- troops in Rukla where Germany is manning in contributes actively to the development of rope. Politicians of Germany are familiar with great part the NATO enhanced Forward Pre- Lithuania’s defence capabilities and takes part the threats in the Baltic region and firmly sup- sence Battalion Battle Group Lithuania. in international operations together with Lith- port the German soldiers’ mission in Lithuania. Germany is a long standing partner of uanian troops. During the visit to Lithuania Dr. Marie- Lithuania in modernising our military forces, Lithuanian MoD inf. Agnes Strack-Zimmermann met with German equipment and weaponry, the country also Photo credit: Lukas Tamošiūnas modern equipment and weaponry, and Ministry of National Defence, Lithuanian Vilnius City Council, Lithuanian Olympic what’s most important, we have strong and Armed Forces, and the Lithuanian Running Committee, Vilnius County Police Depart- motivated soldiers," Commander of the Club. Contributors to the vent area the Seimas ment, LKA Travelers’ Club public body. Lithuanian Land Force Brig Gen Raimundas of the Republic of Lithuania, Ministry of Edu- The Lithuanian Running Club invites the Vaikšnoras said. cation, Science an Sport, Ministry of Culture, participants who did not gather their com- The tribute run was co-organized by the JSC Lithuanian Radio and Television Centre, memorative medals to contact via www.lbma.lt. Also, roughly 800 runners joined the event from around the world, they ran in 11 countries — Afghanistan, Denmark, Spain, Italy, U.S., UK, Mali, Netherlands, Finland, Switzer- land, and Germany. When the independence of Lithuania was re-established and the path of freedom needed to be defended, the events of January 13 claimed lives of Loreta Asanavičiūtė, Virgini- jus Druskis, Darius Gerbutavičius, Rolandas Jankauskas, Rimantas Juknevičius, Alvydas Kanapinskas, Algimantas Petras Kavoliukas, Vytautas Koncevičius, Vidas Maciulevičius, Titas Masiulis, Stasys Mačiulskas, Alvydas Matulka, Apolinaras Juozas Povilaitis, Ignas Šimulionis, Vytautas Vaitkus. Lithuanian Armed Forces inf. Photo credits: Alfredas Pliadis, Cpl M. Lysenko

January 2020. No 1. 9 News Lithuanians’ service was outstanding

tional crises and strengthens the EU Common Security and Defence Policy. Lithuania has been taking part in Operation ATALANTA since 2011. Currently one Lithuanian staff officer is assigned the operational headquarters in Rota, Spain. During the operation logistical provision for the AVPD troops was arranged and coordinated by two National Support Ele- ment soldiers of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Logistical Support Command. The EU Naval Force- Operation ATALANTA was launched in 2008 in response to the growing numbers of piracy cases off the coast of Somalia. Military vessels taking part in the operation provide escort to the WFP vessels transporting aid to the people of Somalia, deter and seize pirates and armed robbers in the area of operation in the n January 7 the National Defence The detachment of 12, formed mainly by Gulf of Aden and Somalian waters and support System Medals for Deployment the Lithuanian Navy and trained specifically other EU international operations and organisa- to International Missions were for the deployment, spent over 120 days in the tions enhancing maritime safety and capabilities Obestowed on the 5th rotation of the Autono- Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia guarding in the region. The EU NAVFOR Somalia Opera- mous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD) a WFP vessel carrying humanitarian aid. The tion ATALANTA includes military personnel, at a homecoming ceremony in Klaipėda af- World Food Programme aid is vital, especial- vessels and aircraft from EU member and part- ter deployment to the EU NAVFOR Somalia ly for the children of Somalia who are one of ner countries. Operation ATALANTA off the Somali coast. the most vulnerable parts of the society in the In 2020-2021 Lithuanian soldiers will be The Lithuanian soldiers were guarding a World war-torn country. 13 thousand tonnes of food deployed to 11 international missions and Food Programme-chartered ship taking food assistance were delivered to different ports in operations. Lithuanians will continue service assistance to the Somali people during the de- Somalia under the guard of the 5th Lithuanian in 10 of the ongoing operations and join one ployment. The homecoming ceremony was AVPD. The Lithuanian AVPD handed over the more - international maritime security opera- attended by Head of the Representation of the mission to Serbian colleagues on December 26. tion in the Straight of Hurmuz. Lithuania con- European Commission in Lithuania Arnoldas The Lithuanian Armed Forces contributed tinues to prioritizes participation in NATO, Pranckevičius, Commander of the Lithuanian the total of four AVPDs and one Lithuanian NATO coalitions and EU-led international Navy Rear Adm (lower half) Arūnas Mockus, Navy officer serving in an operational head- operations, maintains Lithuanian contribution Commander of the MD Jonas Basanavičius Mi- quarters aboard an ATALANTA ship in 2013– to the United Nations-led operation in Mali, litary Medical Service Lt Col Jolita Sesartienė, 2018. Lithuania will continue contributing to and the national Military Training Operation families of the soldiers, and other guests. the operation: the officer continues serving in Ukraine. Approximately 160 Lithuanian sol- "This international operation is one of the at the operational headquarters and the next diers are planned to take part in international success stories of the European Union that AVPD will be dispatched by the end of the year. operations over next two years. has disrupted the activities of Somali pirates. Lithuania’s contribution to the EU-led in- Lithuanian Navy inf. Lithuania is demonstrating solidarity with ot- ternational operations helps fighting interna- Photo credits: AVPD, Lithuanian Navy her EU member states and has been not only a consumer but also a provide for a rather long time already," A. Pranckevičius said about the importance of the EU NAVFOR Somalia Ope- ration ATALANTA at the ceremony. Com- manders of the Lithuanian Navy and the AVPD thanked the military families for the support and belief in the Lithuanian Armed Forces while staying at home in Lithuania. Lt (Navy) Julius Parnarauskas underscored that it was not only a duty but also an honour to take part in the operation. The operational ATALANTA headquarters not only presented EU medals to the Lithuanian military personnel but also gave an assessment "outstanding" for their service.

10 Lithuanian Military Digest News

The Lithuanian Military Academy Will Host the Baltic Military Conference mation, economic pressures, use of energy as a weapon, potential for Russian malign influ- ence in Belarus, etc. So, NATO, including our Baltic allies, must be able to deter across the full range of threats," says Lieutenant General (ret.) Ben Hodges from the Center for Euro- pean Policy Analysis (USA) in relation to the importance of the selected theme. The annual event will welcome Mr. Rai- mundas Karoblis, Minister of National De- fence of Lithuania, Major General Gintautas Zenkevičius, Chief of the Lithuanian Defence Staff, and other high-ranking military officials, Professor Dr. Richard D. Hooker, Jr., from the National War College (USA), Ben Hodges (Center for European Policy Analysis), and other distinguished guests. n 16-17 March 2020 General Jonas in defence matters," says col. Juozas Kačergius, The conference will constitute the key event Žemaitis Military Academy will Commandant of the Military Academy. of Vilnius Security Forum. Both the Forum host a second edition of the Baltic The Baltic Military Conference will provide and the conference aim to promote interna- OMilitary Conference, which gathered in 2019 an opportunity for widely-known security and tional interest into the Baltic region, to foster internationally well-known presenters and was defence experts, high-level military officials, expert cooperation between NATO member subject to much national and regional atten- policy decision-makers, researchers and aca- states in the fields of defence and security, and tion. The conference will focus on issues con- demics, both from abroad and Lithuania, to to stimulate informative discussions on issues cerning regional security and defence of the share their expertise and insights about changes crucial for the future of national defence. Baltic countries. in the region, challenges that are being faced by Ringailė Kuokštytė, Research Centre, General "The conference is a unique event for mem- the militaries, and the most effective means for Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania bers of the Lithuanian national defence system, their resolution. The theme, Multi-Domain Na- defence experts and other guest participants to ture of Total Defence, has been selected for this Point of contact: Capt Donatas Suchockis, Chief share their ideas, knowledge and insights about year’s conference, so as to focus on the critical of G9 Section, General Jonas Žemaitis Military defence of our region. Our aim is to focus the issue of ever more active involvement of the so- Academy of Lithuania, mob: +370 620 48 976, attention of experts from NATO and partner ciety into matters of national defence. KATT: 24 523, e-mail: [email protected] countries on security of the Baltic region. This "It is very relevant. The threats are multi-do- year, we emphasise the importance of the society main, not just kinetic but also cyber, disinfor- Photo credits: MAL

Baltic Military Conference 2019.

January 2020. No 1. 11 In short

NATO days in Kėdainiai and Biržai

NOVEMBER 29 AND DECEMBER 19 As part of both NATO 70th anniversary celebrations and the 15th year of Lithuania membership in NATO, we carried out the NATO Day in Kėdainiai on the 29th of November and the NATO Day in Biržai on the 19th of December. The aim of this initiative was to inform people about NATO and its role in the security of Lithuania, as a collective defense organization. NATO mission is now better understood and fully supported by the people of Kėdainiai and Biržai. NATO NFIU LTU inf. and photos

Christmas surprise from Germany

DECEMBER 6 The soldiers of the eFP Battlegroup Lithu- ania found "Saint Nicholas" chocolate in their boots. This was the outcome of a surprise by the German association "Together strong with our soldiers", which collected Christmas gifts for those being in duty far away from home. They sent ten big parcels full of Christ- mas-Stollen, Adventscalendars, books, ganes and lovingly stitched St. Nicholas socks filled with all kinds of sweets and encouraging letters and cards: "Thank you for your service in Li- thuania!" The company sergeants of the eFP Battlegroup were very touched: they never had such an experience in a mission. Finally, the sergeants jumped into the role of servant Ru- precht and during the night they put the gifts into every soldier’s boots... We wish you all a merry Christmas! Photo credits and information: NATO eFP BG LTU

12 Lithuanian Military Digest In short

Award ceremony in Rukla

DECEMBER 10 Lithuanian Armed Forces me- dal ceremony by the Iron Wolf Brigade took place in the Rukla barracks. Col. Mindaugas Pet- kevičius, presented the Lithu- anian Armed Forces Medals for contribution to mutual support and certificates of appre- ciation, and last but not least the Lithuanian Land Force Me- dals for distinguished service. Roughly 1.200 German, Dutch, Norwegian, Czech, and Belgian soldiers and one Icelandic civilian in the 6th rotation of the eFP Battlegroup, happily received their medals which marks their 120 day stay so far in Lithuania. Photos by Iron Wolf Brigade and the Norwegian Armed Forces NATO eFP BG LTU inf. Vilnius Christmas Run

DECEMBER 16 More than 40 of the eFP Battlegroup soldiers participated in the 44th edition of the Vilnius Christmas Run. Together with hundreds of local running enthusiasts, most of them in full Christmas attire, they had the choice between a 3k, 6k or 12k run. Photo credits and information: NATO eFP BG LTU

January 2020. No 1. 13 NATO's presence PESCO – Network of LogHubs in Europe and Support to Operations tions or hubs (LogHubs), and the concurrent extension of the logistic cooperation amongst the partner nations altogether. By an incremental approach a network of obligatory logistic services will be developed, which will, once completely established, ensure the efficient, reliable, and robust logistic support for participating nations. The complementary approach of the North Atlantic Alliance and the European Union — Cues: "Single set of Forces" & "Enablement of SA- CEUR’s AOR" is intended and permits the future support of inter-agency approaches. None of the participating nations will be able to afford doubled structures. The scope comprises the entire mission spectrum ranging from support of operations, standby commitments of NATO and EU, assurance measures, exercises as well as bi- and/or multinational baseline activities and common operations. What does this mean in practical terms? The core question is, how to gain additional advantages from the common utilization of static logistic infrastructure und strategic lines of Figure 1 — Deployment communication in order to: © Bundeswehr/Marco Dorow ■ timely deploy units in accordance with the prerequisite timelines ■ increase/improve the level of support to already deployed units INTRODUCTION ■ increase/improve support of units in transit. he project "Network of LogHubs in Europe and Support to Therefore, the force rotation of NATO’s VJTF and the EUBG were Operations" is one of the prioritized projects under the um- identified as suitable areas of application for the benefits pertaining to brella of the European Union’s Permanent Structured Coope- an established network. Routine supplies, vehicles and other equipment Tration (PESCO). With accrued 15 participating nations it constitutes of units or larger formations, especially when in multinational composi- the second largest out of the current 34 projects just trailing the "Mili- tion, may be centrally stored, maintained and tendered within the Log- tary Mobility" project. The project originates from the first batch of 17 Hubs during the Stand-by phases. Concurrently, this supports a more projects dating back to March 2018 and represents a synopsis of origi- prioritized and optimized utilization of strategic transport assets in order nally three separate proposals by Germany, France, and Cyprus. Since to expedite the deployment of more supplies and equipment into an area the initiatives had been merged the three nations commonly assumed of operation or exercise. Furthermore, the anticipated prepositioning of the coordinating role of this ambitious endeavour. supplies will help to enhance the multinational synchronization regard- In recognition of the underlying circumstances and under the aegis ing the delivery of logistic services, enable burden sharing, the timely of PESCO, the participating nations strive to enhance their logistic capa- assignment of responsibilities, and in particular ensure compliance with bilities by coordinating existing procedures and commonly identifying stipulated deployment timelines. options in order to be prepared for the logistic challenges of the future. For illustration and application purposes during multinational com- Furthermore, the project is geared towards strengthening the European mittees, the Bundeswehr Logistics Command analysed multiple data pillar within NATO and to create added value to all participants in prac- sets derived from the VJTF 2019, NRF, and EUBG rotations with signi- tical terms. Nowadays capable, but mainly bilateral logistic cooperations are already in existence, nonetheless the participating nations contem- plate to gradually create a more permanent and structured foundation with respect to logistic cooperation. The multinational conferences have been very promising and yielded auspicious results so far. During the last Expert talks from February 2019 two thirds of the participating countries have announced to establish national logistic contributions to the project. Furthermore, the participating nations held out in prospect to utilize logistic services and infrastructure provided by the partner nations. This constitutes a good starting point for the upcoming Expert talks at the end of June 2019 in Paris.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES The overarching objective of the project is the development of a Eu- Figure 2 — Project overview © Bundeswehr/Bundeswehr Logistics Command ropean logistic network by the common utilization of logistic installa-

14 Lithuanian Military Digest NATO's presence

vices to other participating nations on a permanent or temporary basis in order to meet logistic demands and requirements, which may possibly be reinforced by elements of the participating nations. The basic capabilities of a LogHub are handling, storage, transport, and maintenance, whereas not every LogHub will have to provide each functionality. Every contribution by the participating nations is welcome in order to facilitate the opportunity to provide a visible contribution to the project for every nation. This will help to solidify knowledge and experience in order to successively establish the LogHubs and connect them to a functioning network. Nonetheless, single nations may also provide features beyond the described basic capabilities. The LogHubs will remain under the sover- eign control of the providing nation, however, a temporary dispatch of personnel of user nations will be possible. The location of the LogHub is dependent on the capabilities and obligations of the providing nation. Figure 3 — Loading of torpedoes Already existing and sterling national logistic processes remain unchal- © Bundeswehr/Hermann lenged. Furthermore, the robust sustainment of deployed forced will not be subjected to experimentation as unanimously agreed amongst the ficant German contributions. Additionally, performance data obtained participating nations. Nevertheless, an analysis to identify possibilities from the high visibility exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE 2018 was to conflate or merge web-based applications and procedures of provid- included to model vignettes with respect to logistic requirements. This ing and demanding nations in order to alleviate the planning and coordi- supported the development of a realistic and replicable derivation, espe- nation of logistic services is in progress. cially for the description of the performance parameters of the German LogHub, and furthermore enabled the development of a substantiated military advice for the German project contribution. The aforementioned application examples regarding the Stand-by commitments mostly pertain to land centric operations and systems. However, reducing the applicability of the project solemnly to these areas would be ill advised. For example, participating nations could preposition guided Anti-Ship missiles or torpedoes of the Naval Forces in the Mediterranean LogHubs. This could eliminate the necessity for costly air- or sea transports, and furthermore expedite the support of naval units in case of an ad hoc re-tasking. Scheduled or situation based maintenance obligations, just like in the above sketched prepositioning scenario, may be executed by mobile maintenance crews, whilst the nec- essary infrastructure to conduct the work will have to be provided by the LogHub. In addition to the storage of supplies of all classes, the project also focuses on all modes of transportation into operation areas, Stand-by Figure 4 — What are the special features of a LogHub? commitment areas as well as to support humanitarian assistance opera- © Bundeswehr/Bundeswehr Logistics Command tions. The common coordination of transport assets out of the LogHubs within the network to the operation areas will conceivably result in the reduction of costs for all participating nations. MULTINATIONAL CONSULTATIONS The art of logistics invariably includes planning and anticipation as Expert meetings the decrease of the amount of undefined variables during the logistic The first Expert Talks were conducted during the end of September planning process and the development of logistic concepts is paramount 2018 in Berlin and constituted the beginning of the multination proj- for each nation. Therefore, the conceptual ideas pertaining to the project deliberations. During the inaugural event essential information re- ect, will foreseeably create added value and underline the overarching quirements of the participating nations were addressed and the network objectives of PESCO. sentiment with respect to the LogHubs were conveyed. The unanimous agreement regarding the above mentioned definition of a LogHub is just WHAT IS A "LOGHUB" IN THE SENSE OF THE one of many positive examples for the success of the meeting. Further- PROJECT? more, the active participation of high-level representatives of the EU Initially, this question had been discussed in Germany and resulted in Military Staff (EU MS) and the European Defence Agency (EDA) has the development of an initial, purely national concept on the ministerial been a valuable addition to the meeting and will be maintained through- level, which now will have to be discussed and refined with the partici- out the multinational sessions. pating nations in order to merge national perceptions and establish the During this inaugural meeting every participating nation already an- network. nounced the intend to actively contribute to the project by providing A LogHub, as commonly agreed by the participating nations, is a na- logistics services, however just a few representatives were mandated to tional installation as part of a network offering/providing logistic ser- nominate expedient offers at this early point in time.

January 2020. No 1. 15 NATO's presence

yields synchronized milestones for the future project progression, which are accountable regarding content and individual commitment. The project coordinating nations have committed to a moderating role for each work strand including the opportunity to scope the design. A detailed description of every single work strand is superfluous at this point. Nonetheless, a short and snappy delineation of the tying ends with respect to the earlier illustrated project design is indispensable. Project governance first and foremost deals with the management of the project itself. This includes the draft and perpetuation of the project plan as well as the continuous identification of additional ar- rangements. Furthermore, it includes the continuous monitoring of datums and connections to other project such as "Military mobility" and multiple EDA-projects pertaining to customs, handling of danger- ous goods, and border crossing to name but a few. In general, this work Figure 5 — Group photograph taken during the inaugural expert talks in Berlin strand assures an attentive networking in order to maintain an optimal © Bundeswehr/Schöne situational awareness with respect to the multiple ongoing initiatives and projects, avoid duplications, and identify chances and risks well in advance. Regardless of a visible contribution to the project, each participating The work strands regarding the concept and management develop the nation identified the opportunities and possibilities regarding the utili- foundations, subsumptions, and especially the capability oriented elabo- zation of the network, which is a substantial aspect, when the principle rations of the LogHubs and the network. The concept will eventually of supply and demand as well as a learning system are ought to be real- represent the common descriptive and reference document. Addition- ized. Once the "Kick-off" in Germany resulted in a common understanding and an initial timeline for the project work, the following Expert talks conducted in the Republic of Cyprus seamlessly lived up to the earlier success. The meeting yielded multiple tangible nominations regarding the establishment of a LogHub by the participating nations, such that more than 50 percent will be represented with an own national LogHub within the network. Furthermore, Lithuania was officially welcomed as the 15th actively participating nation to the project. Further and by chance visible contributions of the participating nations, additional flag poles in the realm of the LogHubs in Europe, were held out in prospect for the upcoming deliberations in the latter half of June 19 in Paris.

Work strands The linchpin of the project work is composed by seven work strands Figure 7 — The buildup for the German contribution which are engaged in a multinational approach. The identified work (c) Bundeswehr/Bundeswehr Logistics Command strands from the inaugural event in Berlin were contentually circum- scribed and linked to distinctive timelines in Limassol, Cyprus. This ally, the concept will illustrate the links regarding procedural descrip- tions and the IT-based tools on the executing layer of the logistic service providers. Furthermore, the development of a common capability catalogue for the LogHubs within the network is situated within these work strands. The capability catalogue will describe where and when logistic services are available and thereby provides an image of the contribution of each nation. The work strands in responsibility of France focus on the areas of strategic transport. Cyprus has taken on the subject of financial funding in its work strand and reviews those areas within the project, which may be eligible to common funding.

GERMAN CONTRIBUTION As one of the coordinating nations Germany adheres to its special responsibility by establishing the German LogHub in Pfungstadt/ Hesse and additionally establishing a national access point as a core Figure 6 — Multinational work strands staff element collocated with the Bundeswehr Logistics Centre in Wil- © Bundeswehr/Bundeswehr Logistics Command helmshaven. These are the prerequisites in order to credibly convey

16 Lithuanian Military Digest NATO's presence

CONCLUSION The list of participating nations already is extensive and additional in- terested nations that closely monitor the progression of project are at the door step. The sheer amount of partner nations by itself, creates complex challenges for the project management, but also keeps it interesting and creates authenticity and validity with respect to the frequently invoked 360-degree approach. Naturally, nations follow national interests, maintain different re- source allocations, and have special logistics requirements. This is spiced up by the various national logistic systems including different procedures and IT-tools. To reconcile these facts or at least to find the highest common denominator will not be easy, but bears a peculiar charm. The same applies to the PESCO format itself. Due to its binding commitments it represents a different, but higher quality and obligation for the participating nations as earlier forms of cooperation. Figure 8 — A material storeroom The national project progression consequently follows along three © Bundeswehr/R. Alpers lines: a priori, the focus lies on the development of universally applicable capabilities that are independent from an operation or location in order to enhance the existing logistic system. Furthermore, the strong convic- the concept, narrative, and advance such that other nations may be tion that the duplication of efforts will not yield expedient results, and persuaded to utilize the network and/or provide logistics services of that the project itself is obligated to creating advantages for the benefits their own. of all participating nations is the second axiom. At the end of the day, A blueprint regarding the spectrum of capabilities and construc- the adopted results from the project work strands have to provide the tional measures for the German LogHub did not exist. Therefore, the Bundeswehr Logistics Command and the Bundeswehr Logistics Centre were challenged to develop viable conceptual terms of reference in close dialogue, which quantifiably describe the spectrum of capabilities and requirements, and thereby create the basis required to establish the Ger- man LogHubs. The intended German contribution will provide logistic services in two stages: starting in 2020 logistic services in conjunction with the deployment of supplies to areas of operations, exercise areas, and areas for Stand-by commitments will be provided. During the course of 2024 additional services including prepositioning and long-term storage, especially with respect to Stand-by commitments will be offered. These services also include the offer to the participating nations to use the access point in Wilhelmshaven for their own management purposes, if this capability does not yet exist within a particular nation. This enables the Joint Coordination Centre to initially assume the responsibility to provide access to the German LogHub, and furthermore, in a more multinational perspective, to make a bid for the ambitious role as the "trusted Figure 9 — The network (schematic presentation) agent" for the common capability catalogue. Further deliberations espe- © Bundeswehr/Bundeswehr Logistics Command cially within the latter area are forthcoming in the near future. Based on an amendment to the existing tasking of the Bundeswehr Depot South the depicted functionalities of the German LogHub will sustainable support to the units already deployed or designated for a de- be incrementally established and offered in Pfungstadt. Therefore, the ployment. depot will be augmented with personnel and the existing infrastructure Once the network has been established to its full extent it may serve will gradually undergo vast improvement efforts. Furthermore, the de- as the linking element and integral part within the transport chain from pot will acquire additional functionalities especially with respect to mul- the point of origin into any area of operation — virtually from the stra- tinational transhipment capabilities. tegic leg to the "reception". Next to the resources that are directly linked to the establishment of However, until then all the participating nations will have to engage, the German LogHub, the collateral resources in order to generate com- display the willingness to compromise and work hard in order to achieve pensatory storage areas have not been neglected. The anticipated dis- the ambitious objectives of the project. Above all, the general expression placement effect generated by multinational storage requirements within "Communication is key" applies, and this endeavour under the auspices the existing national depot at Pfungstadt, which will inadvertently create of the permanent and structured cooperation in Europe provides fertile ramifications for the stationary logistic facilities of the Bundeswehr, soil and very appealing perspectives. were analysed and have consequently been taken into account during the planning process of the future disposition of the national depot en- By Colonel (GS) Henning Weeke, Commander Frank Hallmann vironment. Bundeswehr Logistics Command

January 2020. No 1. 17 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 Gediminas 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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January 2020. No 1. 19 Special

LITHUANIAN DETECTIVE OF THE GERMAN OFFICER

"I IMAGINE THAT SHE LIVED HERE — IN THE OLD CITY OF VILNIUS, MAYBE IN A BEAUTIFUL APARTMENT OF LA BELLE ÉPOQUE STYLE WITH A MAID, BECAUSE JADWIGA KOLENDOWNA WAS A DAUGHTER OF A LITHUANIAN ARMY OFFICER AND THE FAMILY POSSIBLY COULD AFFORD A HIGH LIVING. THE WOMAN I’M TALKING ABOUT WAS MY GRANDMOTHER. SHE WAS BORN IN 1925 IN VILNIUS", LT COL KARSTEN DYBA, THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER OF NATO ENHANCED FORWARD PRESENCE BATTLE GROUP TELLS WHEN WE MEET AT THE VERY HEART OF VILNIUS TO TALK ABOUT HIS LITHUANIAN IMPRESSIONS.

20 Lithuanian Military Digest Special

MYSTERY OF VILNIUS hen Lt Col Dyba was sent to the mission in Lithuania he had a hope to find out more about his Wgrandmother during free time from his duties: "It’s important for me, because a lot of Germans know their families’ roots from generation to generation and the destinies of my ancestors were totally smashed by World War II." The story of his grandmother is told in a report of his uncle, which held a speech for her 80th birthday. "Once upon a time, there was a little girl that was called Dschunja and she was living in Wilna (it’s a Polish name of Vilnius — author’s note), capital of Lithuania. Little Dsc- hunja was a pretty girl, blond, sportive and with long legs. She loved to play Handball and she wished to play with other children. Unfortu- nately this was not possible, because Dschunja had no sister or brother. And her parents were distinguished people who made sure that their daughter didn’t hang around on the street, but rather prepared for school at home in the beautiful, large apartment," — in this way the story about her live begins. "Dschunja" was a gentle nickname of Jad- wiga Kolendowna. According to the report, her father, Josef Kolendow was a "high ranking" officer of the Lithuanian Army. His wife was Bronislava Kolendowna and their daughter Jad- wiga was born on the 16th of September in 1925 in Vilnius, when Kolendow was 32 years old. And here the mystery begins. Vilnius with its surroundings was occupied by Poland since 1923, so it’s not very possible, that a man living with his family in a Polish Wilna could serve in the Lithuanian Army. Also the report says that "In the Army and at home they spoke Polish." All this doesn’t sound very Lithuanian, so it is most likely that the Ko- lendow family was polish, because there was a very big Polish population living in Vilnius at that time.

GONE WITH THE WINDS OF WAR In 1939 the Kalendow family life started to change because of the Soviet occupation. "Since a few weeks, Jadwiga was forced to learn Russian and this language also was spoken more and more at home," the report says. Later, in 1941 when the Nazi took eastern Lithuania with Vilnius, the Kolendow family was recognized to be ethnic Germans and Josef was integrated into German Wehrmacht. "Maybe it’s because of a possible Lithuanian origin — in this case, his original name was maybe something like Juozas Kalėda", Dyba tries an explanation. "Fur- thermore, as a historian and as an army officer, I can’t understand how my great-grandfather could

January 2020. No 1. 21 Special

In Lithuania Lt Col Dyba’s hope was to find any indications about his great-grandfather Josef Kolendow, who could be an Lithuanian army officer.

serve in 3 different armed forces — Lithuanian mother was standing there at the moment. I about Jadwiga's life. "It was a late night when (or maybe Polish?), Soviet and German? Why waved her, she recognized me, waved me back she reached her mother’s home. When she hadn’t anyone questioned his credibility and loy- and then I saw how she collapsed," Jadwiga told woke up in the morning, she found that all her alty? The more I think about it, the more puzzling for her relatives. She was traveling several days relatives, neighbors and school friends were the connections become." and didn’t know where the merchant train was gathered to see her. In the end of her special After Josef started serving in Wehrmacht, taking her. She was like a captive. The situation vacations she hid with a help of her mother in his 17 years old daughter Jadwiga Kolendowna changed then the train reached Rostok and she the apartment. There was a cache lined with was sent to Germany as a translator in 1942. started to work as an interpreter of Wehrmacht pillows above the stove prepared for her. She "My grandmother was very young at that time, in an aircraft factory "Heinckel-Flugzeugwerken hided there when the gendarmes visited their blond and beautiful, spoke Polish, Russian and Rostock", were a lot of Polish and Russian home looking for her, but in other time she German," Dyba explains. According to the nar- speaking people worked on a compulsory basis. walked freely in the city. One day when she was rations of the family members, one day Jadwiga Her father Josef Kolendow participated walking on the street, two gendarmes stopped was ordered to appear with her hand luggage in the Stalingrad Battle in the winter of 1942- her, because recognized her face from a photo, in a place indicated and at the same night she 1943 and was one of the 160,000 German which they saw in a list of wanted people. Jad- was sent to Germany in a cattle–truck of a mer- soldiers who perished. His grave is unknown. wiga was arrested and brought to Reich. She chant train. "Everything happened very quickly. After his death, Jadwiga got some vacation to never saw her mother again," her relatives told. The railway station was in the center of Vilnius. visit her mother in Vilnius and, as it was writ- When Jadwiga returned from Vilnius to Ger- When the train started to move, I stood near ten, "bemoan the father who died as a hero for many, she was sent to work in Gingen to a fac- a hatch and saw the street were the worship of Hitler and for Homeland." "She took a military tory producing various goods from steal, located St. Marry on May usually took place and my train going to Vilnius", the son in law reported close to a railway station. "One day a very well

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GERMAN CONVERSATION LESSONS

During his mission in Lithuania Lt Col Karsten Dyba gave some German language conversation lessons at Jeronimas Ralys High School in Jonava. These classes were organized for students of a teacher Jonas Legas, learning German for 4-5 years. This project was supported by the German Ambassador Matthias Sonn.

protected train arrived at the station. She was In Lithuania Dyba’s hope was to find any there as a translator. One of the train’s guards indications about Josef Kolendow. He got the was a mountain soldier Sergeant Hans Kolb. support of a Lithuanian military historian in We — their grandchildren — know that it was the Military Press Office of the Lithuanian love at first sight. They both managed to survive Armed Forces, but the result was disappoint- World War II and got married," the report ends. ing: in the register of the Lithuanian army of- ficers during the interwar period, no officer THE FURTHER RESEARCH named Josef Kolendow is registered. "It’s pretty Dyba was looking for some traces in the clear, some further investigation is needed to archives of the Red Cross tracing service in find out more about this story", Dyba says. Germany, which helps to find the traces of lost So "the mystery or Vilnius" of Kolendow relatives during WWII, but without success. family is not enlightened yet, but the German Then the German war cemetery commission officer at least had a chance to learn much more reported on a request, that no grave of an offi- about the country. cer named Kolendow is known. "That doesn’t By Ilona Skujaitė say anything — many soldiers fell without Photo credits: Sgt FC Spc Ieva Budzeikaitė ever getting a grave," Dyba knows. and personal archive of Lt Col Dyba

Jadwiga Kolendowna with her children and grandchildren during her 80th anniversary.

January 2020. No 1. 23 Photo credit: Sgt FC Spc Ieva Budzeikaitė

24 Lithuanian Military Digest