"Eight countries are participating, and I am really glad that it's not the first time some battalions are in Lithuania. It's very important that we are capable of not only having defense plans, in the political as well as military sense, but also of knowing how to use them. This training event exactly aims at coordinating capabilities of all countries involved in the defense of the Baltic region," the Lithuanian president told journalists.
"A soldier without training is not a good soldier. Everyone needs preparation, being prepared, therefore, I am glad that this training event is taking place and that we are going to have even bigger exercises in Lithuania next year," Grybauskaitė added.
Meanwhile, Chief of Defense of Lithuania Lieutenant General Arvydas Pocius said that knowledge acquired during training events was of particular use for Lithuanian troops taking part in international operations.
"In many cases, what we have seen during the training – injuries and troop evacuation – people's lives depend on such cooperation and preparation. As you know, several troops have recently been injured, and troops' swift and professional reaction to a situation helps save lives of not only our but also foreign troops," Pocius said.
Leading US forces taking part in the training event, Major General Wesley E. Craig, commander of the Pennsylvania National Guard, told journalists such training events are important for learning to carry out strategic tasks.
"It helps my soldiers learn how to conduct a strategic deployment, serve in the field with NATO partners and redeploy, a skill we definitely need to practice. That is good for my soldiers and it is hopefully good for Lithuanians and all members that are here," he said.
Over 2,000 troops from 14 countries will take part in joint training event Saber Strike 2013, set to last almost two weeks, at Pabradė polygon in Lithuania.
In the fall, an even bigger NATO-organized training event, Steadfast Jazz 2013, is planned in Poland and the Baltic states, involving around 5,000 troops.
