In the snow-covered woods of Lithuania, the sound of an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System pierced through the sky, sending a clear message of readiness and resolve on NATO's eastern flank.
Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, supporting Task Force Pergale, executed a HIMARS live-fire exercise alongside Lithuanian counterparts, Feb. 3, 2026.
The exercise marked the culmination of the HIMARS Apprenticeship Program, which aimed to advance the capability and competency of the Lithuanian HIMARS Battery as they prepare for the fielding of the system later this year. Over the last few months, Task Force Pergale led numerous realistic training scenarios to build and validate crew proficiency for both U.S. and Lithuanian soldiers.
Army Capt. Richard Hiler, commander of Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, emphasized the impact of training together and how it continues to increase combat credibility in the Baltic region.
"This training proves the crews are capable of accomplishing whatever their job may be and being able to provide long-range precision fires at a moment's notice," Hiler said.
As part of the V Corps' HIMARS Initiative, the apprenticeship program ultimately enhanced U.S.-NATO plans by building proficiency on the M142 HIMARS operations, sustainment and maintenance with Lithuanian partners. Mastery of this specific weapon system is critical to collective defense because of its unique capabilities, Hiler added.
As a light multiple rocket launcher, the M142 HIMARS is a decisive asset on the modern battlefield. The system enables greater mobility, long-range precision and survivability, allowing commanders to shape the deep battle space and disrupt enemy efforts.
The exercise demonstrated the 41st Field Artillery Brigade's commitment to strengthening collective defense and improving warfighting readiness throughout the region. By training on common systems and procedures, U.S. and Lithuanian forces ensure they can fight and win together in complex, contested environments.
"The most rewarding part about training alongside the Lithuanians is learning from their experiences and troubleshooting situations with them to create better solutions for everyone," Hiler said.
Close integration with Lithuanian partners during live fires prepares units to transition from competition to crisis or conflict as an alliance. The training proved that Task Force Pergale can effectively synchronize command and control, fires and integrated targeting during large-scale combat operations.
The completion of the exercise marked a transition as Lithuania prepares to field its own HIMARS. Through side-by-side collaboration, U.S. and Lithuanian forces demonstrated a persistent partnership, increased interoperability and seamless integration of the HIMARS. Together, they remain ready to provide combat credible forces, and if necessary, defend the alliance's eastern flank.