Igniting the Spark for a Stronger Alliance

Photo By Sgt. Juana Nesbitt | A mortar man with the Estonian Defense League loads a round into a mortar tube Aug. 22, during a combined missile and mortar live-fire range at the Central Training Area near Tapa, Estonia. The range was part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, an ongoing series of training events and operations designed to build relationships, trust and interoperability between the United States and its NATO allies. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Juana M. Nesbitt, 13th Public Affairs Detachment)  

TAPA, ESTONIA

08.22.2015

Story by Spc. Jacqueline Dowland 

7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, Estonia - Whether seated in a turret atop a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or crouched on the ground reading a map, all Soldiers involved in the training exercise fixed their sights on the shared goal of the team as they watched the explosions in the distance.

Soldiers assigned to Destined Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, joined their Estonian brothers-and-sisters-in-arms while participating in a combined live-fire exercise at the Central Training Area near Tapa, Estonia, August 22, as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

The Soldiers from each team were scattered across the range, each making their commitment toward the success of the operation. Included in the training exercise were machine guns, BGM-71 Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wire-guided anti-armor missiles, and mortars, each being fired individually at the same targets to achieve a simultaneous attack on the simulated enemies.

"Our goal is to have the TOW impact at the same time that the indirect fire impacts, so it's basically the integration of direct and indirect fires to have a mass effect on the enemy," said 2nd Lt. Daniel J. Leininger, platoon leader for 2nd Platoon, Destined Company.

Combined training exercises with fellow NATO allies increases the ability for the American and Estonian Soldiers to not only train together competently, but also be capable of fighting side-by-side as a seamless team if the need should arise.

"We're integrating with the Estonian mortar team because, If we ever face a combat situation here, we'd be fighting alongside our Estonian friends," said Leininger. "So we must be able to communicate together, and work together as a team."

As the two counterparts prepared for, then executed the exercise, each side learned the differences and similarities amongst themselves and their NATO allies.

"In war we don't do things alone, we fight wars with our allies by our side," said Ivar Janson, of Tallinn, Estonia, a fire support instructor with the Estonian Defense League. "It motivates the Estonian Soldiers to see how our allies work, and to teach our allies how we work, we find it interesting to explore our differences and grow from one another."

Despite the fundamental military similarities from each team, the training exercise proved a learning experience as the two sides discovered that there are also differences in how each allied force operates.

"The Americans have very strict procedures for safety," said Janson. "We don't have as many standard procedures, but it's easier to conduct an exercise when we have consistent guidelines, so we're learning to work under stricter guidelines and procedures."

The American side has learned a thing or two from their Estonian friends as well.

"We have more creativity, so we're able to teach the Americans how to adapt to changes on the battlefield," said Janson. "We teach the Americans the motto, 'be flexible, and adapt.'"

As the counterparts worked together to achieve their shared mission objective, new friendships were forged and existing alliances were strengthened.

"What we have is a cooperation," said Janson. "It's rewarding that we are able to work together seamlessly as a team."

• Date Taken: 08.22.2015
• Date Posted: 08.23.2015 14:43
• Story ID: 173988
• Location: TAPA, EE