Advanced presence. Belgian logistics in support of Rukla
(B2 in Rukla) The enhanced forward presence ("Enhanced Forward Presence" or EFP) of NATO countries is gradually taking root in the Lithuanian landscape. The system is gradually becoming established. And we are already preparing for the next rotation, in 2018.
In the Rukla base, many buildings have already been renovated. But the diggers continue to be active in all corners to extend the camp and erect new buildings. The Lithuanian government has planned to devote some twenty million euros – with the help of NATO and the United States – to modernize and extend its barracks.
The French, Czechs and Croats should join this battalion in January. But certain precursor elements will be there in a few weeks, starting in December.
Logistics, a key element of NATO deployment
A few hundred meters from the Rukla base, the logistics depot... Transport vehicles, cranes, lifting gear, containers, reserve armored vehicles or tanks. It is in this space surrounded by forests, a bit muddy (my shoes remember it) that the men and women of logistics work. Without them, nothing would be possible. " If they are not there, the operation stops instantly confides a manager. Everyone knows it. But inevitably it's less eye-catching than fighters taking off, revving the engines. Journalists and television are much less likely to be present.
Heavy transport vehicles and cranes
The Belgians in particular provide most of the heavy transport that arrived by road at the beginning of the year. The seven Scania tank carriers or heavy vehicles are not idle. But the six ALCs (Automatic Load Carriers) and the two 12-tonne Astras – which can carry containers – and their seven 8-tonne Astra little brothers, as well as the six Unimogs are not left out. " We are on the road everyday “, an officer confides to us, “ in particular to transport the machines to the training sites — tracked vehicles cannot pass on Lithuanian roads.
Appreciated Belgian know-how
« Few countries have heavy transport vehicles ". And Belgian know-how seems appreciated by other nationalities. The first elements arriving in January ensured regular shuttles to the port of Klaipeida to collect the material which arrives in containers by sea or by air at Kaunas airport. And, with each rotation, the movements are more intense. The main camp, Pabrade, located not far from the Belarusian border, is indeed a two-hour drive away (three hours with heavy transport). And the military of NATO countries regularly go there to train. The big advantage of this camp over those known to the military: a large shooting range, " deeper than what exists in our countries testifies an officer, and a small reconstructed urban area. It is also the only urban combat training center in the Baltics, as the Lithuanians (proudly) claim.
About fifty Belgian soldiers, mainly from the 4th logistics battalion of Marche-en-Famenne (1), form the backbone of the logistics company of the multinational battalion deployed in Lithuania, integrating Luxembourg elements. The Germans (from the 371st mechanized infantry battalion) and Dutch (from the 42nd infantry battalion) make up the rest of the company. A few more weeks, the time to see the first snow, and to get out of the mud, and they will be back home. It is the Germans who will then take over on the logistical aspect.
However, the Belgians should not remain absent from Lithuania for long, Defense Minister Steven Vandeput told us in an interview (read: All investments we will make in cooperation (Steven Vandeput) : Belgium should provide a combat company and various elements from September 2018 (about 230 men), to add to the presence of the Belgian F-16 planes which will participate in the Baltic Air Policy, the surveillance of the Baltic sky carried out in turn by the NATO countries, from the Siauliai air base.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
(1) The Belgian logistics detachment includes 44 soldiers from the 4th logistics battalion from Marche-en-Famenne, two from the movement control group and four from the communication and information systems group from Peutie, two military police from Evere as well than a medical intervention component of Lombardsijde. That is 55 soldiers, officers and non-commissioned officers.
(2) The Logistic Battalion is in direct line with the first logistic units which were created in 1830 to support artillery units. Like their French counterparts, they then took the name of "compagnie du train". They acquire their autonomy from the artillery after the war of 1870 which opposes French and Prussians. During the Second World War, a new development, Belgians served in the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) created in 1942, and they are integrated into the Brigade Piron (the equivalent for the Belgians of the 2nd Armored Division of General Leclerc).
