| Abstract [eng] |
Lithuanian historical sources mention the divers for the first time in the 1990s. With the intention to assist emerging national formations of the Department of National Defence of Lithuania, Valerijus Krisikaitis reported to the local national defence department in Klaipeda in September of 1990. He was a certificated diver and karate instructor and expressed his desire to work in the national defence service. Also, he displayed an unorthodox approach by offering to organise and train a squad, which would be prepared for combat, self-defence and combat diving. These skills could be applied to the protection of the Klaipėda Seaport again possible attacks organised and executed by foreign hostile military forces. This was the beginning of the formation of the combat divers’ units in the Lithuanian military. Currently, this combat capacity has increased significantly. Due to ‘Restricted’ and ‘Secret’ classification marks, the exact figures cannot be disclosed; however, open sources indicate that there are two separate units, The Underwater Action Team, which is part of the Naval Forces and the Combat Divers Service, which is subordinate to the Special Operations Forces. These units have separate boat crews, maintenance and supply teams, individual explosive ordnance disposal experts, combat divers, rescue teams and much more. [...]. |
