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National Defence Minister met with Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Gen Bryan Fenton visiting Lithuania

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2023-09-15
International cooperation

Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Gen Bryan P. Fenton and an accompanying delegation were conducting a visit in Lithuania this week. Gen Bryan P. Fenton had meetings with Chief of Defence Gen Valdemaras Rupšys, Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas, and representatives of the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces at which the cooperation between Lithuanian and U.S. Special Operations Forces was addressed.

The primary focus of Gen Bryan P. Fenton's visit was to highlight the close cooperation between the two countries' special forces in multinational operations and in strengthening the security of Lithuania and the Baltic region, as well as to familiarize with Lithuania's security situation, thank the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces for the long-standing support to the U.S. Special Operations Forces, and to continue building on the excellent military partnership between Lithuania and the United States.

"We deeply appreciate the persistent U.S. Special Operations Forces presence in Lithuania. Regular exercises in Lithuania and the region has strategic value in the security of the entire region. We are also appreciate very much the assistance in the development of our Special Operations reconnaissance capability: the Americans are contributing financing, human resources and expertise," said Minister of National Defence A. Anušauskas. He and the guest also discussed the mutual effort in providing assistance to Ukraine.

The Lithuanian Special Operations Forces and the U.S. Special Operations Forces started cooperation over two decades ago. A leap in partnership and compatibility quality took place in 2002 when the Lithuanian military joined the U.S.-led counter-terrorism operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

For over a decade Lithuanian and American special forces personnel annually meet to train at a military exercise and strengthen interoperability in major special operations missions: detection of targets of critical and strategic importance, disruption or neutralization of hostile intents.