Lithuanian ISAF News Afghanistan

[Atasas]

http://www.kam.lt/en/news_1098/curr..._camp_but_inflicted_no_casualties.html?pbck=0
Suicide bomber targeted Lithuania-led PRT camp but inflicted no casualties

October 13, around 8.30 local time, suicide bomber detonated himself next to the camp of the Lithuanian-led PRT of Ghor. The incident did not cause any harm to the peacekeepers.



Local guard forces protecting PRT camp on the outside spotted and warned PRT personnel as the suicider as he was approaching. Lithuanian troops fired warning shots and then the insurgent blew himself up. The blast lightly damaged fence and gates of the PRT compound.

Neither civilian locals nor local guards were injured, the only victim of the incident is the suicide bomber himself.

Security level was enhanced at the camp after the incident, troops informed local security forces to cooperate in conducting investigation.



__________________________



At the moment the 11th rotation of the Lithuanian-led PRT serve in Afghanistan, the shift is based on the Lithuanian Grand Duke Kęstutis Motorised Infantry Battalion located in Tauragės Distr. Kęstutis Battalion provides personnel for the PRT mission for a second time. The majority of personnel in the shift have been deployed to multinational missions in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan previously.



Representatives of Denmark, Georgia, Japan, USA, Poland, Finland and Ukraine serve together with Lithuanian military and civilian personnel in Ghor PRT camp in Chaghcharan.



MEDIA NOTE:



At 14.00 p.m. Chief of the Joint Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Brig Gen Algis Vaičeliūnas will provide a commentary on the incident

 

[A Can of Man]

Well, at least the guy died and didn't leave an UXO to be dealt with.

 

[Atasas]

Good news as such,
On a bad note, Soldiers are getting frustrated quite a bit there, due to deteriorating situation and ROE not allowing more proactive measures ATM

 

[Atasas]

Funny (wrong to say)
Same country's Army supplied in
Ghor ISAFand Aitvaras (SF) in mainly Zabul
Main Difference- Rules Of Engagement, whilst in Zabul Aitvaras is praised by allies and feared by Talibs, in Ghor Soldiers are being blamed for ineffectiveness and getting reinforcements sent over (rumor so far, will need confirmation from official sources). Same ROE still apply, I believe, and wander WTF?

EDITED:
apart from talks of such- nothing changed

 

[Atasas]

http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/201...for-isaf-mission-in-afghanistan-in-lithuania/
US troops will train for ISAF mission in Afghanistan in Lithuania

On September 8-9 representatives of US Army Europe Command visited Lithuania and discussed conditions and programs of joint pre-mission training of US and Lithuanian troops with representatives of the Ministry of National Defence and the Lithuanian Armed Forces, the Ministry of National Defence press office said in its press release.

US representatives paid a visit to Pabradė Military Area of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and toured Gen Adolfas Ramanauskas Warfare Training

Centre in Nemenčinė – locations of the pre-mission training.

Twelve soldiers of the Pennsylvania National Guard are expected to arrive in Lithuania by mid-October and then start a collective three-week training course with eight Lithuanians before deployment to Afghanistan. Lithuanian and US personnel will form a new unit – Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (POMLT), which will provide training for local police of Ghor.

“Military areas and training base where Lithuanian and US troops will undergo training jointly are well equipped with relevant facilities to provide training for military personnel. We believe that POMLT project will be successful and continue enhancing cooperation between Lithuania and USA as the Lithuanian Armed Forces prepares for training course for POMLT project with great responsibility,” said Maj Eric Boyar (US Forces in Europe Command).

POMLT will enter operation in Ghor in November together with the incoming PRT rotation. Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Team will be commanded by a Lithuanian officer.

As Lithuania intensifies support to Afghan national security forces in its responsibility area, Ghor province, where the majority of such force is local police, Police Operational and Mentoring Team will be established to provide training for local officers. Involvement of the Pennsylvania National Guard into the Lithuanian-led project will extend a long and successful cooperation between Lithuania and USA in Ghor.

 

[Atasas]

The first ANA troops deployed in Ghor province

http://www.kam.lt/en/news_1098/current_issues/the_first_ana_troops_deployed_in_ghor_province.html

The first ANA troops deployed in Ghor province

January 12, NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) aircraft landed in Chaghcharan, capital of Ghor province of Afghanistan, carrying the first fifteen troops of Afghan National Army (ANA) for permanent deployment in the province. ANA members brought along armored vehicles.

Deployment of a company in Ghor is foreseen in the nearest future. The unit will strengthen Afghan National Police capabilities ensuring security in the province side by side with the Lithuanian-led Chaghcharan Provincial Reconstruction Team. By deploying into Chaghcharan Afghan National Security Forces will assume more responsibility for ensuring security in the province.

The ANA company will be moved from its former deployment in Herat to Chaghcharan.

PRT troops were notified about the prospect deployment of ANA unit in Ghor by Gen Shazada, Commander of ANA West Region Corps 207 during his visit in Ghor last October.

The Lithuanian-led PRT in Ghor is a joint civilian-military mission, a part of NATO's ISAF, that was launched in Ghor in summer of 2005. The main task of the mission is to help Government of Afghanistan to extend authority in the province, ensure security and create environment for provincial reconstruction. The 12th rotation of Lithuanian peacekeepers based on the Lithuanian Great Duke Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion took over the mission from November. Prerequisites for the allied forces deployed in Afghanistan to finish the mission will be provided as soon as the country's National Security Forces are able to ensure security of the country and its people independently. In the present period major attention is paid to implementation of the NATO's strategy in Afghanistan: training projects for Afghan National Security Forces.

Currently the 12th rotation of the Lithuanian-led PRT provides security in Ghor province, the shift is based on the personnel of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion.

Together with Lithuanian military and civilian personnel the following countries contribute representatives to the Chaghcharan-based Lithuanian-led PRT: Denmark, Georgia, Japan, US, Poland, Finland and Ukraine. The EU Police Mission EUPOL (EUPOL) Team developing its activity from the Chaghcharan PRT’s base includes representatives of Lithuania, Poland and Finland.

Article and pictures by PIO for PRT-12 Capt Ainaras Jonaitis.

Good news! appears to be begging of THE END

 

[Atasas]

Deputy Head of the EU Police Mission in Afghanistan paid a visit to Chaghcharan

http://www.kam.lt/en/news_1098/curr...istan_paid_a_visit_to_chaghcharan.html?pbck=0

Deputy Head of the EU Police Mission in Afghanistan paid a visit to Chaghcharan

January 18, Geoffrey Cooper, Deputy Head of the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL) and EUPOL delegation paid a visit to the base of the Lithuanian-led PRT in Chaghcharan, province of Ghor. The guests met with EUPOL officers working in Ghor and Commander of PRT-12 Col. Remigijus Baltrėnas.

G. Cooper who assumed the office of the Deputy Head of EUPOL several months ago visited Ghor province to familiarise with the activity of the team of EUPOL division in Ghor implementing City Police and Justice Program (CPJP), and situation in Ghor.

In the meeting with the PRT-12 Commander Col. R. Baltrėnas PRT activities in Ghor, points of cooperation between EUPOL teams and PRT, security situation in the province, and cooperation with Afghan National Police (ANP) officers and local prosecutor’s office were presented to the guests.

The guest delegation also met with officers of the EUPOL team working in Ghor, familiarised with their activities, achievements, and challenges, and addressed the scope of their actions. Deputy Head of EUPOL also delivered the most recent information regarding EUPOL’s strategic plans, and reported EUPOL’s leading authorities' expectations regarding the implementation of CPJP teams working in Afghanistan.

G. Cooper gave positive evaluation and expressed gratitude for the efforts and work Chaghcharan CPJP team had done in building and strengthening a stable and effective system of Afghanistan’s police and other law enforcement institutions, and development of cooperation with local institutions and international partners.

„Visit of the high-level EUPOL staff delegation is beneficial both to our guests and our team“, said the Head of EUPOL team in Ghor and CPJP in Chaghcharan commissioner Vytaras Ratkevičius.

EUPOL team in Ghor province of Afghanistan operates together and coordinates its activity with the International Security Assistance Force’s (ISAF) Lithuanian-led Chaghcharan Provincial Reconstruction Team.

The underlying objective of EUPOL is observation, training, counselling and support by other means readiness of ANP forces to fulfil their tasks relevantly, coordination of their efficient and appropriate cooperation with other law institutions with particular emphasis on cooperation with the prosecutor’s office.

The current EUPOL team in Chaghcharan includes 10 officers, four Lithuanians, three Finland’s and three Polish representatives.

The Lithuanian-led PRT in Ghor is a joint civilian-military mission, a part of NATO's ISAF, that was launched in Ghor in summer of 2005. The main task of the mission is to help Government of Afghanistan to extend authority in the province, ensure security and create environment for provincial reconstruction. Prerequisites for the allied forces deployed in Afghanistan to finish the mission will be provided as soon as the country's National Security Forces are able to ensure security of the country and its people independently. In the present period major attention is paid to the projects of training and preparation of Afghan National Security Forces.

Representatives of Denmark, Georgia, Japan, USA, Poland, Finland and Ukraine serve together with Lithuanian military and civilian personnel in Ghor PRT camp in Chaghcharan.

Issued by PIO of PRT-12 Capt Ainaras Jonaitis

Pictures from EUPOL archive:

1. Meeting with Commander PRT-12. From left to right: Deputy Head of EUPOL mission G. Cooper, Commander PRT-12 Col Remigijus Baltrėnas and Deputy Head of Field Implementation Office in Kabul Robert Goodall

2. Meeting of EUPOL team with police officers of Chaghcharan at the PRT base.

Nice to see bureaucracy being stepped over and real Political progress on such scale!

 

[Atasas]

http://www.kam.lt/en/news_1098/curr...huge_amount_of_explosives_and_ammunition.html
Security Forces of Ghor Province gave over to soldiers of PRT huge amount of explosives and ammunition
2

January 24, Coordinator of Afghanistan Ghor Province Illegal Armed Groups Disarmament Committee handed for disposal to the soldiers of Lithuanian-led Afghanistan Ghor Provice Reconstruction Team (PRT) the ammunition which was collected in the province by the local security forces.



Lithuanian soldiers took over 23 rockets (107 mm), about 50 mortar shells, several tens of ammunition of antitank grenade launcher and recoilless guns, around 600 rounds of heavy machine-gun, other ammunition.



The task of Afghanistan Ghor Province Illegal Armed Groups Disarmament Committee is to collect weapons and ammunition from the illegal groups and ensure their storage and disposal. As Ghor Province Security Forces have no capabilities to conduct ammunition and explosives disposal, local representatives of Ghor Province often ask for assistance of PRT Explosives Ordnance Disposal Team as it has required capabilities and skills to neutralize such explosives.

Afghanistan Defence Ministry assigns Coordinator of Illegal Armed Groups’ Disarmament Process to every province of the country; responsibilities of such coordinator include management and control of this activity. The districts of province where appropriate amount of ammunitions and explosives is collected, get a possibility to receive support from the international community and Afghanistan Government for the cooperation projects.



The Lithuanian-led Province Reconstruction Team in Ghor is a joint civilian-military mission, a part of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, which was launched in Ghor in summer of 2005. The main task of the mission is to provide assistance for the Government of Afghanistan to expand authority in the province, ensure security and provide favourable conditions for the reconstruction of province. Prerequisite for the multinational forces deployed in Afghanistan to end the mission will be provided as soon as the country’s National Security Forces are able to ensure security of the country and its population independently. In the present period major attention is paid to the projects of training and preparation of Afghanistan National Security Forces.

Currently the 12th rotation of the Lithuanian-led PRT serves in Ghor province, the shift is based on the personnel of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanized Infantry Battalion.



Together with Lithuanian military and civilian personnel the following countries contribute representatives to the Lithuanian-led PRT: Denmark, Georgia, Japan, US, and Ukraine. The EU Police Mission EUPOL (EUPOL) Team developing its activity in Afghanistan includes representatives of Poland ands Finland.



Article and pictures by PIO for PRT-12 Capt Ainaras Jonaitis.

 

[Atasas]

http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/is...eceive-socks-made-by-lithuanian-citizens.html
Ghor Orphanage Children Receive Socks Made By Lithuanian Citizens
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
2010-12-D-224

KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 19) – International Security Assistance Force soldiers delivered hundreds of warm socks, made by people of Lithuania, to the children of Ghor province Dec 16.

Lithuanian people actively participated in the project, launched by ISAF soldiers, named “Open Hearts – Warm Feet” to knit socks for Afghan children.

Together with the director of Department of Labor and Social Affairs Dr. Crul Ahmad Osmani, provincial reconstruction team soldiers donated these handmade socks for the kindergarten and orphanage of Chaghcharan city.

“It is gratifying to know and see that people who are living far away from here shows attention for us and sends their warmness and goodness,” Osmani said.

In the near future soldiers are planning to visit Soltan Razieh girls high school in order to donate socks for the poorest families’ children.

The socks project exceeded soldier’s expectations. They intended to collect 1000 socks but the people delivered three times more. Families of reconstruction team soldiers, schools, libraries and social organizations across Lithuania participated in this event

 

[Atasas]

http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/is...mends-governor-on-ghor-province-progress.html
Gen. Petraeus Commends Governor on Ghor Province Progress

Gohr, Afghanistan (Feb. 10) – The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) commander visited the Lithuanian Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), Chagcharan District, Ghor Province, Feb. 10, 2011, and addressed ongoing issues in the district.

U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus discussed the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program (APRP), security, governance and development with Dr. Abdullah Hawaid, Ghor Provincial governor, Lithuanian Col. Remigijus Baltrėnas, PRT commander, and U.S. Agency for International Development representatives.

“Our success is your success,” said Petraeus. “I congratulate you on a great effort to combine security forces in this key area.”

The first company of Afghan National Army (ANA) Soldiers arrived in Ghor Jan. 31. Since then, attacks against coalition and Afghan National Security Forces have decreased.

Petraeus was briefed on the state of the ANA, Afghan National Police, reconstruction and APRP milestones in Ghor.

Hawaid took control of Ghor Province two months ago, and through innovative governing tactics, he has roughly 500 possible insurgents ready to enter the APRP, according to statements he made at a Jan. 31 meeting, when the first ANA company arrived.

There are roughly 10 insurgent groups operating in Ghor, said Hawaid, citing that Ghor is a bridge between Helmand Province and the North.

As winter gives way to spring, insurgents traditionally become more active and increase attacks against forces supporting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA).

This year, insurgents will have a newly trained company of ANA to contend with, and the increased security will significantly hinder anti-Afghan activities.

Once the insurgents reintegrate into normal lives, development will follow, said Hawaid.