Baltic Defence Study Tour 2013

The Joint Command and General Staff Course (JCGSC) and Civil Servant Course (CSC) from the Baltic Defence College are conducting the Baltic Defence Study Tour to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia from May 19th till 24th 2013. The BALTDEFCOL delegation is led by the Commandant MG Vitalijus Vaikšnoras. A major objective of this tour is to deepen knowledge on defence planning and the Baltic States by meeting national parliamentarians, high-ranking civil servants and military officials dealing with defence policy and defence planning issues.

LG Arvydas Pocius, The Chief of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania, addressing the courses.

“The Baltic Capitals Study Tour will be conducted as part of Course Module 302 – Defence Policy, Planning and Decision Making. After completion of this tour, the participants will better understand the principles and procedures of political and defence related decision making, as well as of defence planning in 3 Baltic States”, said Exercise director LTC Mika Juha Kerttunen, Director of Defence Management and Officership Department.

BALTDEFCOL Commandant MG Vitalijus Vaikšnoras thanking Mr Artūras Paulauskas , Chairman of the National Security and Defence Committee.

After one travelling day from Tartu to Vilnius, the JCGSC and CSC visited the Ministry of National Defence Republic of Lithuania and Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.
During the day the delegation received many interesting briefings, including security and defence policy of Lithuania, Lithuanian Armed Forces overview and regional military cooperation, national defence planning process, and participation in international operations. Visitors were also welcomed by the Chief of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania LTG Arvydas Pocius.

The Baltic Defence Study Tour continued with the visit of Šiauliai Air Base. The JCGSC and CSC were introduced to Lithuanian Air Force Base and briefed about its development perspectives and NATO Air Policing Mission over three Baltic Countries.