Defense Minister: US participation in exercise in Lithuania indicates solidarity

She spoke after a meeting with the visiting US Pennsylvania National Guard Commander Major General Wesley Craig on Friday, the Defense Ministry reported.

According to the press release, the minister thanked him for the participation of US troops in the international exercise BALTOPS 2012 earlier this week, inviting them to take part in the Steadfast Jazz 2013 war games in Lithuania next year.

During the meeting, the minister spoke about creation of a reserve in Lithuania's Armed Forces.

"Last year, the Seimas (parliament) adopted a new version of the Law on National Conscription, which envisages creating of a reserve. I was very happy to hear US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta listing reserve creation as a very important thing during a meeting of NATO defense ministers. Your experience in this field is of utmost importance to our defense," Juknevičienė said.

The meeting also addressed further cooperation in the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operation in Afghanistan, energy and cyber security cooperation.

After the meeting, the Lithuanian defense minister awarded Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Timmons, officer of the US Embassy to Vilnius in charge of cooperation between Lithuania's Armed Forces and the US Pennsylvania National Guard, with the medal For Merits of the national defense system.

Craig is in Lithuania on 11-16 June to inquire about Lithuania's military units and combat training, participation in international operations and projects. The main purpose of his visit is to discuss development and fields of bilateral cooperation.

During the visit, US officers also met with Lithuania's Chief of Defense Lieutenant General Arvydas Pocius. Craig visited the Military Academy of General Jonas Žemaitis, Lithuanian Military School in Kaunas and the Lithuanian Army's Motorized Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf in Rukla.

The cooperation between Lithuania's Armed Forces and the Pennsylvania National Guard dates back to 1993. The guard holds training and seminars for Lithuanian officers, sends its instructors and observers to exercises in Lithuania. Lithuanian troops also attend exercises and attend training of trainers programs and other events in Pennsylvania.

Since the fall of 2010, soldiers of the Pennsylvania National Guard have been serving in the Lithuanian-led Police Advisory Team in Afghanistan's Ghor province.