Saber Strike 2014 confirms U.S. commitment to Baltic States

by Maj. Edward Shank
Joint Force Headquarters, Pennsylvania National Guard

6/16/2014 - FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa.  -- On the wall of the town hall building in the Lithuanian capital city of Vilnius there is mounted a bronze plaque with a quote from President George W. Bush circa 2002. The statement reads: "Anyone who would choose Lithuania as an enemy has also made an enemy of the United States of America."

Now, more than 20 years after the last Russian troop was pulled from the Baltic States, Lithuania and it's neighboring countries, Latvia and Estonia, Mr. Bush's statement is being put to the test.

While the youth the Baltic countries were raised knowing only freedom, recent hostilities between Russia and Crimea are a vivid reminder to older generations of a time when the extent of their freedom was dictated by others.

According to Maj. Dennis Philapavage, a C-5 pilot of Lithuanian descent who serves in the West Virginia National Guard, the importance of freedom has been imparted on the nation's younger generations.

"I remember my grandmother was very conscious and very proud of the fact that [Lithuania was] an independent country and instilled that in her sons -- my father and uncle -- which is still something they talk about," Philapavage says.

On June 11, the 39-year-old flight instructor visited his ancestral homeland on a mission to help protect the independence his grandmother felt was so important.

In a joint mission Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Maj. Philapavage's C-5 Galaxy landed in Lithuania filled with American Soldiers and Stryker Combat Vehicles participating in Exercise Saber Strike 2014. Though this was Philapavage's first trip to the Baltic, it was familiar territory to the members of the PA Guard's 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

Following the Cold War, Lithuania and other former Soviet-occupied countries were paired with National Guard units from various states and territories in an effort to strengthen bonds between the United States and its new allies. Due, in part, to the large number of Lithuanian immigrants residing in the state, a partnership between the Pennsylvania National Guard and Lithuania was established.

In the 21 years that have followed, the Pennsylvania National Guard and Lithuania military have forged a relationship unrivaled by the average state partnership, conducting more than 500 exchanges that have led to huge advancements for both countries in such diverse areas as professional military development, strategic planning, and cyber defense.

Since the Global War on Terror began, Pennsylvania and Lithuanian Soldiers and Airmen have deployed to Afghanistan as members of a joint Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Team, training Afghan soldiers the tactics, techniques, and procedures necessary to defend their nation. Pennsylvania also provided Soldiers for nine rotations to the Lithuanian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Gohr Province, Afghanistan, fighting side by side and defending one another with their lives.

After years of such cooperation, to Pennsylvania Soldiers and Airmen, returning to Lithuania is a chance to reunite with old friends and train together using techniques developed over years of practice. This is the fifth "Saber Strike" -- an international military exercise that rotates from one Baltic state to another -- in which elements of the 28th Infantry Division's 56th Stryker Brigade has participated, but, as 2nd Squadron, 104th Cavalry element's troop commander, Capt. David Fittipoldi, points out, this year's exercise in significant in many ways.

"The scope of Saber Strike has increased," says Fittipoldi. "With recent events in Crimea, the need and desire to increase our training focus with our NATO allies in the Baltics has increased as well."

Elements of the Pennsylvania National Guard have traveled to Latvia and Lithuania to join forces with Danish, British, Australian and a number of other allied countries for Saber Strike 2014, which is expected to last about two weeks.

"Our relationship with Lithuania is extremely strong," says Capt. Fittipoldi. "It's been forged over the last 21 years ... and it's specific training instances and training exercises like this that has made our relationship so strong."