Participation of DAT ‘Vilkas’ personnel on the Day of Tribute to the Partisans and the Lithuanian Civilian and Military Unity

• The events, presided over by the President of the Republic, were attended by representatives and media from several NATO countries

On Prisikelimo Square in Šiauliai, under the slogan ‘We Are You’, the central events of the Day of Tribute to the Partisans and the Lithuanian Civil and Military Unity were held jointly, presided over by the President of the Republic, Gitanas Nausėda, accompanied by the Chief of the Defence Staff of Lithuania.

The ‘Vilkas’ Detachment, deployed at Šiauliai Air Base on its 65th rotation of the Baltic Air Policing Mission (BAP), participated alongside Portuguese F16s in a flyover of the city. The President, the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff thanked Spain and Portugal for their commitment and unity in the 20th anniversary year of the BAP Mission and Lithuania's accession to the Alliance.

After a military ceremony of raising the Lithuanian national flag and an exhibition of weapons handling by the Honour Guard Company, the national authorities greeted the attendees and invited them to accompany them to visit the various military facilities and static exhibitions. Vilkas infantry fighting vehicles, PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer, Lithuanian Air Force NASAMS medium-range air defence system, Giraffe surveillance radar, Scan Eagle surveillance UAV, German Leopard tank, and a long list of other exposed assets.

Finally, the Head of Detachment Vilkas attended a reception with military and civilian authorities invited by the Mayor of the city of Šiauliai, Artūras Visockas.