US commitment to our region is particularly strong- Chief of Lithuania's Armed Forces
Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas Žukas concluded his week-long trip to the US by the meetings in Washington on August 14-16.
On August 15 a Full Honour Arrival Ceremony was held for the Lithuanian Chief of Defence at Whiple Field Park. Host of the ceremony Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Joseph F. Dunford presented to LT Gen J.V.Žukas the Commander Degree Medal of the Legion of Merit.
"The award is a sign of appreciation not only of me but to all the Lithuanian Armed Forces, it stands as a symbol of a strong bilateral partnership of Lithuania and the United States and multilateral partnership in NATO that based on shared values and goals," Lt Gen J. V. Žukas said after the ceremony.
Later Chief of Defence met with highest commanders of the US Armed Forces at the Pentagon: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen J. F. Dunford, Commandant of the United States Marine Corps Gen Robert B. Neller, and Chief of the National Guard Bureau Gen Joseph Lauren Lengyel. Generals discussed security situation in the Baltic Sea region, interoperability of allies, bilateral cooperation, including joint military exercises, and international fight against terrorism.
According to Lt Gen J. V. Žukas, it was agreed at the meetings to further strengthen defence cooperation between Lithuania and the US - both, between the armed forces and separate services.
On August 14 Chief of Defence met with Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau Lt Gen Daniel Hokanson.
Information prepared by the Ministry of Defence of Lithuania
Photo credits: Dominique A. Pineiro and Olivia G. Ortiz
