US and Lithuanian forces completed a HIMARS live-fire exercise in Lithuania, reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank with long-range precision fires and joint training. The event on February 3 marked the culmination of the HIMARS Apprenticeship Program, advancing interoperability and crew proficiency as Lithuania moves toward fielding its own systems.
Live-Fire Event and Training
At Kairiai Training Area in Lithuania, soldiers from the US Army’s 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade fired M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) rockets alongside Lithuanian Armed Forces personnel.
The live fire was the final phase of a months-long HIMARS Apprenticeship Program. The training focused on operations, sustainment, and maintenance of the HIMARS and built crew competence for both US and Lithuanian teams.
US Army Capt. Richard Hiler, commander of Bravo Battery in the 1-14 Field Artillery Regiment, said the joint training increased combat credibility in the region, showing crews could deliver long-range precision fires when needed.
HIMARS Apprenticeship Program
The apprenticeship program led realistic scenarios to test mission flow from planning through execution. Soldiers trained on the full sequence of tasks needed to employ HIMARS in tactical conditions, increasing readiness and shared procedures.
Training alongside Lithuanian forces helped build trust and fine-tune combined workflows, a key part of ensuring allied units can operate together in complex environments.
Strategic Impact on NATO’s Eastern Flank
The HIMARS live fire came amid sustained NATO efforts to reinforce deterrence on the alliance’s eastern flank. HIMARS offers mobility, long-range precision, and rapid displacement, traits important for allied planning and force integration.
As a light multiple rocket launcher, HIMARS adds a long-range fires capability that commanders use to shape deep operations. Using a common system and procedures builds allies’ ability to coordinate fires and command networks.
Lithuania’s Path to Fielding HIMARS
The exercise also signaled Lithuania’s progress toward fielding its own HIMARS units later in 2026. Side-by-side training with US Army crews prepared Lithuanian forces for independent operations once their systems arrive and integrate into force structures.
