During the visit, the head of Lithuania’s diplomacy inspected the soldiers’ living and training conditions and thanked the US troops for their service.
“Your presence here is not taken for granted. We appreciate your service and your strong commitment to transatlantic security. The friendship that develops between American soldiers and the people of Lithuania will last for generations,” the minister said.
In Pabradė, Budrys took a tour of the newly launched infrastructure for the reception of NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF), where a new US rotation will be deployed yet this year.
“Our goal is a continued, uninterrupted, and growing presence of the US forces in Lithuania. We are ready to improve the existing conditions and receive more US troops in our country,” the minister noted.
In January 2025, the rotational US battalions’ changeover ceremony took place. The latest US rotational presence in Lithuania will last until September. Some 1,200 American military personnel are currently stationed in Lithuania.