Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf

Infantry Brigade "Iron Wolf" ("Iron Wolf" Brigade) () is the core unit of the Lithuanian Army and forms the country's contribution to NATO collective defence. The name of the brigade relates to the Lithuanian mythical character from the medieval foundation legend of the Vilnius city.

Function

MIB "Iron Wolf" main mission is to maintain required capabilities as stated in national defense guide in order to defend Republic of Lithuania sovereignty, its territorial integrity, participate in NATO and international peace support operations, plan and conduct brigade staff and units training, main effort preparation for peace support operations in accordance with international commitments.

Main tasks:
* Plan and conduct the tasks related to military operations;
* Prepare training and activity plans of "Iron Wolf" brigade;
* Organize, conduct, evaluate and analyze training of subunits in order to achieve specify tasks and essential tasks of the mission;
* Control readiness of subunits of IB "Iron Wolf" to conduct stated missions and essential tasks of the mission;
* Coordinate main spheres of activity with the commander of "Iron Wolf" brigade;
* Take part in national and international military operations, exercises and projects of the military cooperation;
* Collect information on experience gathered during exercises and make suggestions to Brigade commander;
* Provide information and reports to the higher headquarters concerning implementation of training and activity plans;
* Provide assistance to state and municipal institutions by responding to threats of a non-military nature;
* Maintain close relationship with local society and participate in their activities.

Structure

MIB "Iron Wolf" is the largest unit of land forces of the Lithuania Armed Forces, consists of the command, its elements and six battalions stationed across Lithuania and named after Lithuanian Great Dukes and Duchesses as the tradition of the Lithuanian Armed Forces goes:

* Iron Wolf Infantry Brigade, in Rukla
** Headquarters and Headquarters Company, in Rukla
** King Mindaugas Hussar Battalion (), in Panevėžys
** Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Battalion (), in Alytus
** Grand Duke Algirdas Infantry Battalion (), in Rukla
** Duke Vaidotas Infantry Battalion (), in Rukla
** General Romualdas Giedraitis Artillery Battalion (), in Rukla
** NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group ()
** Logistics battalion (), in Rukla
** Reconnaissance Company, in Rukla
** Signal Company, in Rukla

History

The unit originated in June 1990, when a separate Defence Squad was created. Same year, in autumn, the Honors Guards Company was created.

* January 13, 1991 – both the Defence Squad and the Honors Guard Company defend the Lithuania's parliament building, the Hall of Press, the Ministers' Council building, the Vilnius TV Tower, and other buildings during the January Events;
* February 22, 1991 – a Training Regiment () is created;
* November 14, 1991 – the Training Regiment reorganized as Rapid Reaction Mechanized Infantry Brigade (). Brigade's subunits, stationed in various parts of Lithuania, are considered equal to battalions;
* Spring, 1992 – First draftees are assigned to the newly formed Brigade, with battalions stationed Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai, Tauragė, and two companies are stationed in Alytus and Marijampolė (the two latter later growing into full battalions);
* January 2, 1992 – Renamed as Field army 1st Mechanized Airborne Brigade ();
* June 6, 1992 – Unit's first parade in the Cathedral Square, Vilnius; Brigade is awarded the name "Iron Wolf" ();
* April 1, 1995 – Klaipėda's battalion is reassigned under the Navy command; Kaunas's battalion reassigned under the Army HQ's command;
* January 26, 1996 – Field Infantry Brigade reorganized as "Iron Wolf" Mechanized Infantry Brigade ();
* October 27, 1996 – Brigade's battalions in Šiauliai (the "Grand Duke Vaidotas" battalion) and Tauragė (the "Grand Duke Kęstutis" battalion) are reassigned as separate units;
* In 2004 – the bilateral project between Denmark and Lithuania LITBRIG has started;
* August 31, 2006 – in Haderslev

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