Subdivision 15 of the Giżycka Zmechanizowa Brigade supported Lithuanian soldiers in preparation for the country's defence. The yearly "Strong Griffin" exercise was an crucial test of action in hard terrain. Light tactical vehicles and drones have played a key function in the forest and swamps, making it easier for soldiers to conduct reconnaissance.
– For many years the 15th Giżycka Mechanized Brigade has been cooperating with the Armed Forces of the Republic of Lithuania as part of global tactical exercises. We train and play in the action of troops and command," says Captain Margaret Misiukiewicz, press officer of 15 BZ. And he adds that for 3 years, the hangers have been working closely with soldiers of the Lithuanian Army Infantry Brigade “Griff” during exercises specified as “Strong Griffin” or “Brave Griffin”. In October, soldiers from the Giżycka brigade divisions one more time went to Lithuania to participate in “Strong Griffin” manoeuvres on a camp in Podbrod, about 15 km from the border with Belarus.
About 2,000 soldiers from Lithuania, Poland, the USA and Hungary took part in the two-week exercises. Poles created OPFOR companyThat is, they played an opponent. Their task was to make a threat to the Lithuanian battalion of draft soldiers. Exercises were for the Lithuanians the final skill test as part of the certification after primary training. The Polish company had 2 teams of Lithuanian soldiers in its ranks and collaborated with the second OPFOR company separated from the Lithuanian sub-chapter during certification. – Defenders of Lithuanians and those on our side were soldiers just after essential military service, but made a large impression on us with their preparation, cognition of tactics, engagement," says Lekusz Przybycień, the company commander of 15 BZ.
Find your opponent's weakness
The action under "Strong Griffin '25" lasted 2 weeks, with the main phase of the competition of "blue" (defensor) with "red" (OPFOR) lasting 3 days. – erstwhile we received the order that we were going out into the field and we would not return to the base for 3 days, we began conducting reconnaissance and approach to the main attack area. The site was very difficult, dominated by dense forest and swamps, but 2 Lithuanian teams in JLTV vehicles were well found there – said Lieutenant Przyjacień. The Lithuanians, who supported Poles in OPFOR's tasks, conducted a reconnaissance, and erstwhile they came into contact with the blues, the full column was active and effectively destroyed their positions.
The company commander emphasizes that despite a small experience, defending the Lithuanians proved to be a very good tactic. They knew where to hit to halt and slow down the OPFOR column as much as possible. They were besides well prepared to defy the attack on reinforced positions. First for 5–6 days they built trenches, fortifications, tranches, fire stations that were very well masked. And most importantly, they knew how to usage them effectively. They drove fire from different positions, they kept moving, so we had to carry out a fewer raids before we crossed the first line of defense," the officer adds.
Parrots and Penguins
The Swiss took about 30 vehicles with them to Lithuania, mainly MRAP Cougar and Rosomaki in the WRT version (technical designation carts). The main vehicle of the Lithuanians were the light American JLTV, which has late been a symbol of the modernization of the Lithuanian army (Lithuania already has at least 350 specified wagons from 500 ordered). If during last year's “Strong Griffin” Polish Rosomaki supported American Abrams, this year dense armored equipment did not play a key role. Although the "blue" were available to the M113 caterpillar transporters, most of the tasks were light and maneuverable wheeled vehicles.
Defenders utilized grenade launchers Carl-Gustaf And Javelin launchers. The usage of unmanned aircraft was besides of large importance. – I had no drone operators in my company, but in the Lithuanian teams that were assigned to me, there were specified specialists. Their thermovision drones have greatly improved our assessment of the situation of the battlefield,” stresses the Visitors.
The Lithuanians had Penguins and Parrots, i.e. unmanned mini Penguin C class, which led the diagnosis from an altitude of 1500–2000 m. The teams besides utilized Parrot ANAFI UKR, which is tiny quadricycles. In addition, FPV drones were utilized to drop grenades with plastic balls on soldiers. “These actions open your eyes to threats of the modern battlefield. During the full exercise, we utilized the MILES laser system, constantly monitoring which soldier and vehicle was hit. To make the task hard for us, the peacekeepers threw smoke grenades at us, which simulated artillery fire," the company commander says.
Polish, Lithuanian, 2 nephews
As Lt. Arrivals emphasize, Lithuanians made a large impression on Poles with their ability to operate in the field and modern equipment. – They had no thermal vision, but each soldier utilized night imagination and it was apparent that the Lithuanian military placed a large deal of emphasis on e.g. training drivers utilizing night imagination equipment," said Officer 15 BZ. – I was besides impressed by the cognition of English and the ability to cooperate in an global environment. erstwhile I was the only foreigner to enter the briefing, everyone began to talk English – the company commander adds. He admits that the fact that many Lithuanian soldiers had Polish origin besides influenced good communication at lower levels of command. Lieutenant Arrivals indicate that it was possible to conduct ad hoc training from field medicine, approaches to the building, etc.
Captain Misiukiewicz points out that 1 of the most crucial elements of the "Strong Griffin" exercise is to make common procedures for action and conduct and to build interoperability between wards of 15 BZ, the armed forces of the Republic of Lithuania and another allied troops. “International cooperation strengthens our capabilities and shows that together we are strong,” says the press officer of the 15th Giżycka Mechanized Brigade.