Lithuanian platoon trains with 511th MP Co.

by Sgt. 1st Class Stacy Niles, 214th FB PAO

Sgt. Victoria Chill with Co. C, 26th BSB, discusses proper application of a tourniquet with Master Sgt. Andrius Samusevas, from the Lithuanian Iron Wolf platoon.

FOB DELTA – With slightly less than two months here, Lithuanian soldiers are already making an impact on operations in Wasit province.

The Iron Wolf platoon provides a personal security detachment and quick reaction force in support of battlefield circulation for 214th Fires Brigade staff and other Coalition Forces, said Maj. James Singer, the 214th FB operations officer.

“They provide the command group and staff a great amount of mobility that we didn’t have before,” he said.

The addition of the Lithuanian platoon allows the 511th Military Police Company, from Fort Drum, N.Y., to focus on their police transition team mission and provides security for Coalition Forces to conduct more civilian military cooperation missions, said Singer.

“They are absolutely vital in providing security in support of those operations,” Singer said.

Before assuming their mission, the Lithuanian platoon received drivers’ training, medical evacuation training and conducted a certification exercise.

During the certifi cation exercise, led by 511th MP Co. personnel, Lithuanian soldiers navigated scenarios such as reacting to improvised
explosive devices, reacting to a sniper, personnel recovery, vehicle recovery and reacting to an ambush.

“They did extremely well,” said Sgt. 1st Class David Riggons, a platoon sergeant with the 511th MP Co. “They are a very competent and professional organization.”

First Lt. Gediminas Ališauskas, platoon commander for the Lithuanian
contingent’s 10th rotation, said his soldiers started with a few mistakes,
but learned and improved.

“It was important to see my soldiers think at a level higher than they were responsible for,” Ališauskas said. “It was one of the best moments for our unit.”

Sgt. Victoria Chill with Co. C, 26th BSB, discusses proper
application of a tourniquet with Master Sgt. Andrius Samusevas,
from the Lithuanian Iron Wolf platoon.