May 12 2022

LTG von Sandrart chairs Baltic Sea Region Security Conference WITH KEY Military LEADERS

SZCZECIN, Poland — On 12 May, Lieutenant General Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart, Commander Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE), conducted the Baltic Sea Region Security Conference. The symposium brought together key military leaders from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland to discuss ways of furthering cooperation across NATO's northeastern flank.

The conference saw the highest-ranking military officials representing the Polish, Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Armed Forces, including Lieutenant General Tomasz Piotrowski, the Polish Armed Forces Operational Commander, Major General Veiko-Vello Palm, Estonia's Deputy Chief of Defence, Brigadier General Imants Ziediņš, Latvia's Deputy Chief of Defence, and Brigadier General Mindaugas Steponavičius, Lithuania's Armed Forces Chief of the Defence Staff. Additionally, in attendance was the U.S. Army Lieutenant General John Kolasheski, the Commander of the U.S. V Corps which forward headquarters is based in Poznań, Poland.

From the left: BG Steponavičius, MG Palm, LTG Piotrowski, LTG von Sandrart, LTG Kolasheski, BG Ziediņš / Photo by CPL Hans-Peter Alzner

As emphasized by LTG von Sandrart, the conference was a useful means for all participants to gain a wider perspective on the current developments in the region. It served to share a consolidated view of the priorities and future efforts. The attendees highlighted how important it was to adapt across the entire range of military capabilities in order to maintain high readiness and responsiveness in an exceedingly complex environment.

MNC NE as the only Regional Land Component Command within the NATO Force Structure has been delegated a special responsibility to develop an accurate, timely and persistent common operational picture of all land force activities occurring through the Baltic region. Being the theater command, MNC NE has an established battle rhythm which enables coordination among Allies and regional partners.