From 17 to 23 May, the Lithuanian Land Forces held their first exercise focused solely on the national operation and maintenance of the HIMARS High Mobility Artillery Rocket System. Exercise Stork and Eagle took place in Šiauliai in cooperation with the U.S. Army.
The training aimed to enhance both individual and collective capabilities in the independent and effective handling of HIMARS systems. “We are conducting this joint training to keep our troops updated in a line with the most recent NATO standards,” said Major Justinas Čekanauskas, Commander of the Rocket Artillery Battery of the Lithuanian Land Force.
The exercise covered theoretical and practical instruction, including fire control, equipment maintenance, ammunition handling, and HIMARS operation. HIMARS systems and support equipment from the U.S. 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment were brought in from Germany for the training.
Lithuanian and U.S. troops jointly performed maintenance drills, system trials, firing tasks, day and night truck-driving, missile reloading, and launch preparation. A live-fire exercise over the Baltic Sea is scheduled for June.
“The opportunity to train with the Allies is not just building and strengthening of practical skills but also a chance to deepen interoperability and exchange experience,” Maj Čekanauskas added. Troops of the Rocket Artillery Battery regularly cooperate with the U.S. 41st Field Artillery Brigade, V Corps, and conduct training with NATO Allies and Partners.
Lithuania has procured eight HIMARS launchers as part of a joint Baltic acquisition, which includes live and blank ammunition and various guided missile types. Among these are ATACMS missiles with an effective range of up to 300 kilometres.