173rd Airborne Soldiers and Estonian scouts earn their spurs [Image 8 of 8]

PALDISKI, ESTONIA

07.31.2014

Photo by Sgt. John Carkeet IV 

U.S. Army Europe and Africa     

Soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade and an Estonian Soldier from the Single Scouts Infantry Battalion demonstrate their mastery of their weapons by assembling an automatic grenade launcher while blindfolded during the 173rd Airborne Brigade’s first spur ride in Estonia, July 31, in Paldiski. Organized by the 173rd Airborne and the Single Scouts Infantry Battalion, a spur ride is a rite of passage for Soldiers of any country serving in or with an Army cavalry unit. Candidates who endure the physically and mentally exhausting ordeal earn the privilege of wearing spurs on special occasions. Approximately 600 paratroopers from the brigade are deployed to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve to foster closer relationships with allied forces and demonstrate commitment to NATO obligations. (Photo by Sgt. John L. Carkeet IV, 143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary))

• Date Taken: 07.31.2014
• Date Posted: 08.20.2014 04:49
• Photo ID: 1511269
• VIRIN: 140731-A-DB402-0528
• Resolution: 5184x3240
• Size: 15.19 MB
• Location: PALDISKI, EE