Photo By Pfc. Gabriel Martinez | U.S. Army Soldiers with the 128th Chemical Company, 337th Engineer Battalion, conduct...... read more read more
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PABRADE, Lithuania – Lithuania hosted the large-scale multinational training exercise Engineer Thunder 2025, which brought together over a thousand NATO forces for two weeks in September. Forces from the United States, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Lithuania participated in the biennial exercise, Lithuania established in 2013, and continues to offer hyper-realistic training opportunity for the multinational forces to learn from each other enhancing how they 'shoot, move, and communicate,' together.
The focus for U.S. Army Soldiers from the 128th Chemical Company, 337th Engineer Battalion, was on a simulated hazardous materials mission, where soldiers needed to demonstrate their ability to detect and handle chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) threats on the battlefield. U.S. Army Soldiers from the 128th Chemical Company, 337th Engineer Battalion, relied on their NATO partners for security as they navigated smoke-filled underground passageways while using detection tools to identify potential threats. The multinational teams, despite differences in language and procedures, quickly adapted and worked together, growing more efficient and cohesive as the exercise progressed.
“It’s kind of like helping your neighbor,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Erik Hicks, platoon leader from Alpha Company, 876th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. “We’re all in this together.”
U.S. Army Soldiers worked alongside their Latvian and Czech counterparts, exchanging techniques and gaining new perspectives. The soldiers used night vision, red lights, and detection tools to safely complete reconnaissance and sampling tasks in simulated hazardous areas. Machine-generated smoke and blaring factory alarms added to the realism, making the environment even more challenging.
“They look at us like we’re the powerhouse,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Danny Dinh, platoon leader of the 128th Chemical Company. “We’re really going to train to make sure that we’re ready for the future.” Despite the language barriers and differing procedures, the teams shared knowledge and adapted their methods to effectively complete the mission.
The exercise also featured a series of tactical movements by U.S. Army engineers from Alpha Company, 876th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, who joined forces with the Estonian Defense Forces and Lithuanian Land Forces. Together, they conducted attack and defense missions, combining their procedures and learning from each other to find the most effective ways to overcome obstacles.
“We've got to learn from each other, see how our standard operating procedures are functioning currently,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Adams, squad leader from the 128th Chemical Company, 337th Engineer Battalion. These shared experiences, like working through cold weather, rain, and field food rations, helped to build cohesion and strengthen NATO partnerships.
The partnership between the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Republic of Lithuania, which began in 1993 through the National Guard’s State Partnership Program, has been key to sustaining long-term military cooperation. This relationship has helped both forces build military capabilities and improve convergence, which proved vital during Engineer Thunder 2025.
U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Joseph Jordan, decontamination platoon leader from the 128th Chemical Company, 337th Engineer Battalion, emphasized the importance of understanding how each nation operates. “It’s good to have a good understanding of how they operate and how we can integrate into a cohesive unit,” he said.
The exercise allowed soldiers from NATO countries to exchange cultures, workflows, and experiences, offering fresh perspectives on familiar challenges. Many of the soldiers will return home with innovative approaches to obstacles they face regularly in training, and some learned valuable insights they’ll carry forward to future missions.
“This exercise isn’t about the machinery, equipment, or materials — it’s about the Soldier. Whether a specialist, engineer, or infantryman, the focus remains on the individual,” said Lithuanian Land Forces Lt. Col. Ramūnas Sabaitis, Commander of the Colonel Juozas Vitkus Engineer Battalion, during the closing ceremony. “We achieved my main unofficial objectives: sharing of experience, building the network, and finally, safety.”
Lt. Col. Sabaitis presented awards and gifts to the Soldiers for their performance and contributions during the exercise, highlighting the importance of collaboration and growth within NATO forces.
| Date Taken: | 09.18.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.24.2025 08:17 |
| Story ID: | 549125 |
| Location: | PABRADE, LT |
| Web Views: | 81 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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