U.S. personnel join Lithuanians for Armed Forces Day celebration

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Torri K. Larson
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SIAULIAI, Lithuania --  The 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander and other U.S. Airmen joined the Lithuanian armed forces Nov. 16 to celebrate 90 years of service here. 

The event was attended by several local Lithuanian armed forces dignitaries, including the Siauliai base commander. 

Members of the Lithuanian armed forces marched through the center of town and stood in formation in honor of this historic milestone. 

Speeches were given by the mayor of Siauliai, the base commander and Maj. Jeff Galloway, 493rd EFS detachment commander. 

"On behalf of the 493rd EFS, I'd like to congratulate you on 90 years of service, as you celebrate Lithuanian Armed Forces Day," said Major Galloway. "We are pleased to be here and we want to thank the people of Siauliai for being such gracious hosts." 

The 493rd EFS, in representation of the United States Air Forces in Europe, is deployed from the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, to Siauliai to provide air policing for the independent and democratic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to fulfill NATO air defense commitments in the region. 

"The men and women of the (U.S.) Air Force cannot accomplish our mission without the support of the local community," explained Maj Galloway. "We look forward to continue working closely with this community during our stay here. Thank you again for your hospitality."After the Armed Forces Band played military melodies, the event culminated in a precision drill by the Lithuanian Honor Guard and a 21-gun salute, accompanied by a fly-by of two U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles and a Lithuanian L-39 Albatross.