Office of Defense Cooperation

LTC James R. Hogan

United States Embassy
Akmenu 6
2600 Vilnius, Lithuania
Tel: (370-5) 2665641
Fax: (370-5) 2665640

Work hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 - 17:30
Closed on: Official Lithuanian and American holidays

ODC Mission

The U.S. Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) Lithuania is a cohesive team of military and civilian professionals planning and executing all Security Assistance (SA), Defense Cooperation in Armaments (DCA), and other military-to-military programs in Lithuania. ODC Lithuania is responsible to the U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania and the Commander, U.S. European Command for administering these programs.

The U.S. Security Assistance program is comprised primarily of Foreign Military Sales of U.S. defense equipment, services, and training and the management of the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and International Military Education and Training (IMET) grant funding.

Defense Cooperation in Armaments (DCA) includes support for the bilateral Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, assistance to logistics and technology cooperation programs, and support to U.S. companies seeking to do business in Lithuania.

Some of the key military-to-military programs that the ODC office administers are the Joint Contact Team Program, State partnership Program and defense environmental cooperation. The Bilateral Affairs Officer within the ODC manages these programs and coordinates with the Pennsylvania National Guard to execute the State Partnership Program.

Within the framework of the Ambassador's Mission Performance Plan and EUCOM's Theater Security Strategy, ODC Lithuania supports Lithuania's military transformation to an expeditionary style force fully prepared to deploy in support of NATO and US operations around the world.

ODC Focus

• To support Lithuania's military transformation to an expeditionary style force fully prepared to deploy in support of NATO and US operations around the world
• To assist Lithuania with the Professional Development of their Officer and NCO corps
• To provide military procurement advice and assistance
• To promote the U.S. defense industry and U.S. defense business and investments in Lithuania
• To facilitate cooperation in the fields of military training, education and technology.

Useful Links

Baltic Spirit 2006 ( PDF document*)

*PDF files can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Adobe Reader, download the latest version from here.

Soldiers provide MEDEVAC training

By Sgt. 1st Class STACY NILES
214th FB PAO

Staff Sgt. Steven Thomas (center), a flight medic and unit trainer with Company C,  2nd Battalion, 238, General Support  Aviation Brigade, guides Lithuanian Cpl. Simonas Šartus (left) and  Staff Sgt. Raimondas Zunka during medical evacuation training at Forward Operating Base Delta.

FOB DELTA – For servicemembers injured or wounded while traversing dangerous terrain, it’s the immediate response of the security element that makes the medical evacuation process easier. “It makes the MEDEVAC more efficient if they know what’s expected and are trained to do it,” said Staff Sgt. Steven Thomas, a flight medic and the unit trainer for Company C, 2nd Battalion, 238 General Support Aviation Brigade. Thomas provided MEDEVAC training to the Lithuanian Contingent 10 platoon in preparation for their assumption of a personal security detachment and a quick reaction force for Coalition Forces at FOB Delta. Thomas presented the team with landing zone training, 9-line MEDEVAC training and loading and unloading training. “They did very well,” Thomas said. “They were very receptive and asked pertinent questions.” The Lithuanian platoon received training both in Lithuania and Camp Buehring, Kuwait, but the training at FOB Delta was new and valuable, said 1st Lt. Gediminas Ališauskas, the LITCON 10 platoon commander. The training focused on loading and unloading UH-60 Black Hawks and safety when approaching and leaving the aircraft. “It gave us a different understanding of fi rst aid. We received new and better ideas,” Ališauskas said. “It changed our mind-set and gave us the opportunity to train with real Black Hawks.” Ališauskas said his platoon will share the information gained here with fellow Lithuanian soldiers.

see also Lithuanian platoon trains with 511th MP Co.