Lithuanian Special Operations Force
| Lithuanian Special Operations Force | |
|---|---|
SOF insignia
|
|
| Active | 1997–present |
| Country |
 Lithuania
|
| Branch | special forces |
| Type | specialised infantry |
| Role | counter-terrorism operations, special missions (direct action, special reconnaissance, rescue of hostages, unconventional war and protection of VIPs) |
| Part of | Lithuanian Armed Forces |
| Nickname(s) | "Žaliukai" ((English) like “forest / green brothers”); "Aitvaras" (named after a traditional Lithuanian mythological spirit) |
| Engagements |
War in Afghanistan (2001–2014) EU Navfor Med (2017) NATO Response Force (2008- Present) |
War in Afghanistan (2001–2014)
EU Navfor Med (2017)
The Lithuanian Special Operations Force (LITHSOF) (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Specialiųjų Operacijų Pajėgos) is a special operation unit of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, formed exclusively of carefully selected, motivated and specially trained professionals. The main tasks of the Special Operations Force are counter terrorism, special reconnaissance, and hostage rescue.
The Lithuanian Special Operations Force has been in operation de facto since 2002 and it was established de jure on April 3, 2008, when amendments of the National Defence System organisation and military service law came into force. SOF is formed from the Special Operations Unit.
The structure of the Lithuanian Special Operations Force (SOF) is flexible which makes it easy to form squadrons intended for concrete operations and missions from its elements. The core of the Lithuanian SOF is:
One of the main missions of the Lithuanian Special Operations Force is counter-terrorism operations beyond the territory of Lithuania. The SOF also carries out other special missions: direct action, special reconnaissance, rescue of hostages and protection of VIPs. The SOF can be called upon inside the territory of Lithuania when law enforcement agencies lack necessary capabilities to react to terrorist attacks.
Soon after Lithuania re-established its independence from the Soviet Union on March 11, 1990, the need arose to form armed units. One of the first such units was Aukščiausiosios Tarybos Apsaugos Skyrius ("Supreme Council Security Section"). One of the main tasks of this unit was to protect the Lithuanian Parliament. In the following years, the Lithuanian army underwent various restructuring processes. After the reorganization of Kaunas Vytautas the Great motorized infantry battalion in 1995, the separate Vytautas the Great Jaeger Battalion (named after Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytautas the Great) was established, which would become one of the core units of Lithuanian Special Operations Force.
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Wikipedia