Eighth rotation of Lithuanian peacekeepers took over the Afghanistan mission
On 17th of November PRT-8 led by Col. Vytautas Reklaitis replaced PRT-7 after a half year of duty in Chaghcharan, Ghowr. Official rotation ceremony held in the PRT camp was attended by Chief of Lithuanian Armed Forces Defence Staff Brig. Gen. Algis Vaiceliunas currently on visit in Ghowr, Col. Francisco Abajo, Chief of Staff of ISAF RC-W supervising Lithuanian-led PRT, Governor of Ghowr, and representatives of Ghowr administration. “I extend my gratitude to all the PRT-7 members for fulfilling the mission. It wasn’t an easy one – we lost a comrade, however, it did not put you down, you went through all the difficulties and honorably completed the tasks entrusted to you,” thanked Commander of PRT-7 Col. R.Baronas for his fellow soldiers. Lithuanian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Ghowr acts as Lithuanian-led joint civil-military mission under ISAF. Lithuania launched peacekeeping mission in Ghowr in June 2005. The main task of PRT is to help Afghan Government in extending its authority in the province, ensuring security, and bringing conditions congenial for provincial reconstruction. Current rotation of Ghowr Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT-8) is mainly manned by members of NDVF Zemaiciu District 3rd Territorial Unit. This is the second rotation based on the National Defence Volunteer Forces troops. Apart from civilians and military personnel from Lithuania, there are Danish, Croatian, American, Ukrainian and Georgian troops deployed with the Lithuanian-led PRT. PIO for PRT-8 Lt Karolis Zikaras. |
