U.S., NATO Soldiers enjoy chance to meet Lithuanian residents, show off hardware

RULKA, Lithuania (Nov. 14, 2014) -- U.S. Army Soldiers, along with their NATO counterparts, turned out with vehicles, weapons and equipment to show off and meet the local residents of Pabrade, Lithuania, Sunday, as part of a groundbreaking NATO exercise being held nearby.

Military personnel from eight other NATO member countries participating in Exercise Iron Sword 2014, joined the U.S. Soldiers for the public engagement event, which featured a variety of military hardware on display. Along with Bradley and Stryker Fighting Vehicles, courtesy of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Lithuanian residents had a chance to see weapons, armored vehicles, engineering equipment and some of the latest military gear from their NATO allies.

Iron Sword 2014 is the first such exercise in Lithuania to include multinational troops from NATO members. Nine NATO member countries are participating, including Lithuania, the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Luxembourg.

Public events are important for residents of the area, said Maj. Gen. Almantas Leika, commander of the Lithuanian Land Forces, who attended the event.

"Through events like this, we make sure that NATO solidarity and the NATO spirit reach as many people in our nation as possible," said Leika.

The public, said Leika, has been enthusiastic about having NATO troops train with their soldiers on Lithuanian soil. For U.S. troops, Iron Sword 2014 is part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. Army Europe-led series of training events across Eastern Europe, aimed at contributing to regional stability and demonstrating U.S. commitment to NATO.

The message he hopes people in the area get from events like this, said Leika, is that "We are not alone. We are supported by our allies."

"They talk to the Soldiers from other nations, they see the equipment, they can touch it. Most of the people coming here are thanking the Soldiers for coming and being together with us," said Leika.

Many of those attending were families with children, who were allowed to explore the insides of the U.S. Army's Bradley and Stryker Fighting vehicles, try on tactical gear, and even handle some of the weapons and equipment.

Cpl. Paul Rawlinson, a UK soldier with the Mercian Regiment, said it was a rare chance for him and his troops to meet and talk with Lithuanian residents.

"It's one of the few times you get appreciation from the general public," said Rawlinson, an infantryman from Cheshire, England. "You normally don't get that when you're in the Army because it's just you, surrounded by soldiers, doing your thing."

"It's a whole different side of the job that you don't get to see that often," he said.

Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division and 2nd Cavalry Regiment, enjoyed lots of attention from the public, who seemed especially interested in their Bradley and Stryker Fighting vehicles.

Young boys especially seemed eager to climb through the hatches of his Bradley and learn about every part of the machine.

"They're curious about the capabilities of the vehicle," said 1st Lt. John O'Brien, a platoon leader with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment. O'Brien said his troops enjoyed themselves as much as their Lithuanian hosts.

"They're having a blast," added O'Brien, a Rice, Texas, native. "It's nice when you're welcomed with open arms and they treat you so hospitably ... hopefully, we're building relationships that will pay dividends in the future."