SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 – A delegation of more than 20 Lithuanian defense, diplomatic and business officials visited the Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or UAS, facility Sept. 23, as part of a five-day mission in the United States.
Loreta Maskolioviene, Lithuania’s vice-minister of national defense, led the delegation, which was received by U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John R. Pippy, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general, and other Pennsylvania National Guard leaders.
“I think Fort Indiantown Gap, with our UAS and counter-UAS facilities, will be a premier training location for the East Coast, and then we will learn how to tie that in with our allies and partners, with NATO, and specifically with Lithuania,” Pippy said.
The delegation viewed presentations explaining the mission of the Fort Indiantown Gap Training Center and the 166th Regiment – Regional Training Institute UAS training program, a demonstration of a non-kinetic drone obstacle course and a live, kinetic hunter-killer drone demonstration, highlighting the current capabilities and ongoing innovation supporting U.S. and allied integration.
“Our three main lines of effort here now are our 3D printing and fabrication lab, the first-person view or FPV drones and UAS lethality training,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Reed, Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations Facility commander.
The Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team recently deployed to Germany, where its mission involved training Ukrainian forces. The Ukrainian forces then trained the Pennsylvania Guard members on their rapidly evolving use of drone warfare.
According to Pippy, this experience is fundamental to the rapidly increasing UAS capabilities at Fort Indiantown Gap and in the Pennsylvania National Guard, and formed the basis of the demonstrations viewed by the delegation.
Pippy concluded the tour by looking forward to increased cooperation and training leading to an ever-strengthening partnership and interoperability among our allies.
The Pennsylvania National Guard has partnered with the country of Lithuania since 1993 as part of the Department of War National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program.
The State Partnership Program executes joint security cooperation engagements with the Republic of Lithuania in support of U.S. European Command objectives and the Department of State initiatives facilitating unity of effort to sustain the enduring relationship, build capacity, improve interoperability and deter potential adversaries, furthering the defense of Lithuania’s sovereign borders, Euro-Atlantic security and the homeland.
By Sgt. 1st Class Zane Craig
Pennsylvania National Guard