Estonian, US forces receive new jump wings

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Paratroopers with 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment,173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team receive the Estonian Jump wings following the joint airborne operations exercise July 23, at a drop zone in Nurmsi, Estonia. The event was an opportunity for Estonian paratroopers to gain experience in U.S. airborne operations while building the camaraderie between U.S. and Estonian troops. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Juana M. Nesbitt, 13th Public Affairs Detachment)  

NURMSI, ESTONIA

07.23.2015

Story by Sgt. Juana Nesbitt 

7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

NURMSI, Estonia – Despite ominous clouds that lingered from the day before, Estonian and U.S. Army paratroopers, began the day early in order to conduct the joint airborne operations exercise they had been planning two days prior at a drop zone near Nurmsi.

“We’ve been training and preparing with the Estonian airborne unit that is out here to conduct airborne operations,” said Sgt. Hector Ortega, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., a jumpmaster with Destined Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment,173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.

“It was a joint exercise with Estonian and U.S. Army Soldiers,” said Pvt. Karita Ortus, of Kohlta-Jarve, a volunteer with the Estonian Defense League. “We were given the opportunity to jump from a UH-60 Black hawk Helicopter.”

As the morning progressed, the skies began to clear and the paratroopers proceeded to issue parachutes and conduct jumpmaster personnel inspections.

Ortus stated she was really excited to finally get the chance to jump and understands the importance of training with her counterparts.

“I don’t really know how to explain it. I feel like I’ve done something really great,” she continued. “[Training together] is really useful, this is how we get to know each other and see what’s important to each other.”

For the brigade defense officer with the Estonian Defense Force, it was an honor to learn from and jump with the U.S. Army paratroopers and was impressed by their professionalism.

“U.S. Army Airborne personnel are much more professional than we are,” said Capt. Taavi Talunik, of Rakvere. “It was a great honor to jump with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team and I won’t forget this day for the rest of my life.”

When it was all over, about 150 U.S. and Estonian Soldiers jumped and the partnered nations held a small foreign wing-pinning ceremony right on the drop zone.

Spc. Malachi Lavergne, of Lake Charles, La., a small arms repair specialist with G Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment,173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, said receiving his Estonian jump wings was a blessing and reinforces why the U.S. Army is in Estonia.

“I think it creates a wider, broader image between the U.S. and Estonia,” he said. “It’s not just the Estonian Army or the American Army but it’s a bigger picture, everybody needs one another, and that’s what we are looking for.”

• Date Taken: 07.23.2015
• Date Posted: 07.24.2015 06:44
• Story ID: 170996
• Location: NURMSI, EE