Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Zane Craig | Soldiers from the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Lithuanian Army marked 25 years...... read more read more
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RUKLA, Lithuania – Soldiers from the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Lithuanian Army marked 25 years of partnership with an airborne friendship jump here June 7.
More than 30 American and Lithuanian Soldiers from various units spent the day conducting refresher training together in preparation for the jump.
“It is tremendously significant that we conducted this cooperative jump on the 25th anniversary of our partnership because it clearly demonstrates the high level of trust and confidence in each other to execute such a high-risk operation jointly,” said Maj. John Lancaster, Pennsylvania’s state partnership program officer, who participated in the jump.
The Pennsylvania National Guard State Partnership Program with the Lithuanian Armed Forces began April 27, 1993 as Lithuania regained its independence from the Soviet Union.
“Conducting an airborne operation is complicated, high-risk and requires a lot of coordination, especially when it involves many units from two countries,” said Lancaster. “The seamless, safe and successful nature of our jump shows how well we work with our friends in the Lithuanian Armed Forces.”
The jump took place one day after the 74th anniversary of the Normandy invasion of 1944 in which American paratroopers played a key role and went on to liberate Western Europe.
“It’s absolutely critical to remember our history because history does repeat itself, a lot of people fought, gave their lives, or were seriously injured fighting for the safety of the world, and it’s an honor to be able to do something like this on a day that so important for all of us,” said Spc. David Henry, an infantryman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment, 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
The jump coincided with Saber Strike 2018, and annual U.S. Army Europe – led exercise taking place in the Baltic States and Poland involving 19 NATO and other allied nations.
Pennsylvania Guard members from the 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment and the 104th Cavalry Regiment, 55th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard, members of the Ohio and West Virginia National Guards, and members of Lithuania’s National Defense Volunteer Forces (KASP) participated in the jump.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:Please contact Lt. Col. Angela King-Sweigart (717)861-8829, or e-mail ng.pa.paarng.list.pao@mail.mil
| Date Taken: | 06.11.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.15.2018 14:16 |
| Story ID: | 280411 |
| Location: | RUKLA, LT |
| Web Views: | 260 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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