American troops to stay in Lithuania as NATO presence grows
The presence of American soldiers in Lithuania is a vital aspect of NATO's efforts to bolster security in the Baltic region. Since 2019, American battalions have been rotationally deployed at the Lithuanian training ground in Pabradė, located about 16–19 kilometres from the Belarusian border.
The first rotational deployment began in 2019 as part of the Atlantic Resolve programme. The aim is to deter Russian aggression and strengthen NATO's eastern flank.
Atlantic Resolve was the USA's response to Russia's annexation of Crimea.
Initially, their presence was planned until 2025, but in May 2024, Lithuanian Defence Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas announced that the American military battalion would remain in Lithuania indefinitely.
The presence of American troops in Lithuania is part of a broader NATO strategy to deter potential aggressors and ensure the security of its members in the region. Exercises like those in Pabradė are regularly organised to enhance the interoperability of allied forces and prepare for joint defensive actions.
Exercises and manoeuvres involving American soldiers in Lithuania:
- "Saber Strike" (April 2024): As part of these exercises, approximately 600 American soldiers and 120 pieces of military equipment were transported to Lithuania through the former Polish-Lithuanian Budzisko-Kalwaria border crossing. These manoeuvres aimed to enhance cooperation between the US and Lithuanian armed forces and increase combat readiness in the region.
- "Grand Quadriga 2024" (May 2024): German armed forces exercises, with about 3,000 soldiers and 200 pieces of military equipment. The manoeuvres took place at the training grounds in Pabradė and Kazlų Rūda, aiming to improve cooperation between German and Lithuanian forces.
- "Brave Griffin" (April–June 2024): Field tactics exercises on the Suwałki Gap, part of the NATO "Steadfast Defender 24" training cycle. The manoeuvres involved 1,500 soldiers and almost 200 pieces of military equipment from Poland, Lithuania, Portugal, and the United States. The goal was to test defensive plans and enhance the ability to respond to potential threats in the region.
- "Steadfast Defender 24" (April–June 2024): One of the largest NATO exercises since the Cold War, involving over 90,000 soldiers in various European countries. In Lithuania, these manoeuvres lasted until the end of June and included various defensive scenarios to test defence plans approved at the NATO summit in Vilnius and send a clear signal of the Alliance's determination in mutual defence.
Incidents during exercises
The presence of American soldiers in Lithuania since 2019 has largely proceeded without major incidents. The most serious incident involves four American soldiers who are being sought after the vehicle they were operating, a tracked vehicle, fell into a swamp.
The incident drew attention from notable figures, including the American ambassador to Lithuania.
The issue stirred considerable controversy when Donald Trump weighed in. The President of the United States stated that he had not been informed of the incident since Tuesday.
