Estonian Minister of Defense visits "Stone Platoon" at Camp Taji

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Cupp | The Estonian Minister of Defense Jaak Aaviksoo addresses the Estonian platoon (ESTPLA)...... read more read more

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Cupp | The Estonian Minister of Defense Jaak Aaviksoo addresses the Estonian platoon (ESTPLA) on Camp Taji, Iraq June 8 during a visit by the minister to the base camp. Estonian soldiers in the ESTPLA are teamed with Soldiers from Troop B, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment and have gone on 148 patrols in Sab Al Bor, Iraq with their U.S. partners.  see less | View Image Page

TAJI, IRAQ

06.10.2007

Story by Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

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By Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp
1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – For more than six months, an Estonian platoon known as the "Stone Platoon," has been working with troops from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division conducting combat operations together in the village of Sab Al Bor, Iraq.

These partners shared a rare opportunity to meet the Estonian Minister of Defense Jaak Aaviksoo here June 8.

During the visit, Aaviksoo talked with Estonian troops and Soldiers from Troop B, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment – who work alongside the Estonian soldiers every day. Aaviksoo also exchanged gifts with senior leadership in the 1st BCT.

In a presentation at the Camp Taji Theater, Aaviksoo took part as Estonian troops and Soldiers of "Garryowen" presented each other with awards—with the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment presenting traditional Cavalry spurs to their Estonian partners while several Garryowen troops received the Estonian Distinguished Service Medal.

"The traditional earning of the spurs comes with service in the cavalry as the organization goes to war," said Lt. Col. Kevin MacWatters, upon presenting the spurs to the Estonians. "Wear these spurs with honor."

"You can definitely see a good interaction between our two countries, and this is very important to our nation," said Estonian Army Col. Neeme Vali, the chief of the general staff for the Estonian army, who presented Estonian Distinguished Service Medals to Soldiers in Garryowen. "Now it's time for the Estonians to say thank you to the U.S."

Following the ceremony and a briefing on the Estonian and Garryowen mission in Sab Al Bor, the minister took the opportunity to speak to those in attendance.

"We're not very numerous and our country is not very big, but we suffered under totalitarianism for 50 years and we don't want that to ever be repeated," said Aaviksoo during his opening comments. "The modern world is getting smaller all the time and the ideals of democracy are just as important to us as they are to the local Iraqi people here.

"This is not an easy mission here, and you know that better than I do," added Aaviksoo addressing his troops and the Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment. "But the goal of the joint multi-national forces is to help bring peace and democracy to Iraq. I have seen your focus and commitment to that goal."

In cordon and searches, mounted and dismounted patrols and other joint operations with U.S. troops and Iraqi security forces, the Estonian troops have assisted in the detaining of more than 37 insurgents. They also assisted in the conducting of convoy operations and traffic control checkpoints along with the finding of many weapons caches and improvised explosive device-making materials. In all, they have been on 148 patrols, some of which were up to 48 hours long.

Aaviksoo concluded his speech with praise for the achievements of the partnership.

"I thank you for your commitment and we all look forward to your continued success in Iraq," said Aaviksoo. "I wish you every success and I wish you luck, without it, it will be hard to achieve your goals."

From the Taji theater, Aaviksoo traveled to the Estonian platoon's area on the base camp where he viewed a static display of both Estonian and American weapons. Afterwards, he ate lunch with the Stone Platoon.

Estonian Sgt. Juri Lapko said the experience was worthwhile and meant a lot to him and his fellow troops.

"It's good that our leaders remember what Estonian soldiers are doing here, and that they recognize we are in Iraq doing a very important job for Estonia," said Lapko, a humvee gunner. "And that what we are doing here will be good for the future of the Iraqis."

MacWatters and his troops said they have been quite impressed with the soldiers in Aaviksoo's Stone platoon.

"They are full partners with no restrictions on how their soldiers participate in operations and they're just like a part of our platoon," said MacWatters. "They bring their own counterinsurgency skills and always add to the capabilities of the unit. We have a great partnership here."

"They're unbelievable," said Killeen, Texas native Sgt. Nicholas Anderson, a scout with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment. "We've gone on a lot of missions with them and they're good with tactics, they're very proficient and definitely know their stuff, and I'm extremely excited to be over here with them."