FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Soldiers from the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 166th Regiment trained a group of Lithuanian soldiers Nov. 5-16 in the Pre-Master Gunner course here.
The eight noncommissioned officers selected for this course will be prepared to attend the Master Gunner Course at Fort Benning, Ga. and to impart their knowledge to junior soldiers at home in Lithuania.
“The course provided a series of seminars and practical exercises to enable Iron Wolf Brigade NCOs to properly plan for the execution of stabilized gunnery to facilitate participation in NATO-sponsored exercises in support of operations, actions, and activities with our allies demonstrating credible capability,” said Sgt. 1st Class John Nebzydoski, State Partnership Program noncommissioned officer-in-charge and Dorrance, Pa. native.
This training is in preparation for fielding of 88 VILKAS (Wolf) Infantry Fighting Vehicles (German Boxer) to the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ Iron Wolf Brigade.
“Everyone has made us feel very comfortable here, which allows us to focus on learning,” said Sgt. Igoris Krasinas, Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Iron Wolf Brigade, of Rukla, Lithuania.
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.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Lt. Col. Angela King-Sweigart (717)861-8829, or e-mail ng.pa.paarng.list.pao@mail.mil