Photo By Staff Sgt. Steven Colvin | U.S. Army Capt. Don Duong, the commander of Eagle Troop, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry...... read more read more
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TAPA MILITARY BASE, Estonia – U.S. Ambassador to Estonia, James D. Melville Jr., visited Tapa Military Base to help celebrate the 99th Anniversary of Estonian Army’s 1st Infantry Brigade, April 25, 2016. Eagle Troop of 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, stationed out of Vilseck, Germany, also participated in the special event by providing static displays for the local school-aged students.
The celebration began with the singing of the Estonian National Anthem and an opening ceremony where key Estonian Army leaders received awards and recognition for their dedicated work.
Following the ceremony, the local school-aged students and the Estonian Army conscripts were free to roam Tapa Military Base. There were many Estonian Army and U.S. Army vehicles, equipment, and weapons displays for them to see.
U.S. Ambassador Melville used the event as an opportunity to visit the Tapa Military Base, see the Estonian Soldiers and welcome the Eagle Troop Soldiers to Estonia during their rotation of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
“This is my first chance to be here at the Estonian Army base since I arrived in December of 2015,” said Melville. “I’m here, not only to see the American troops, but also to be briefed by the Estonian Army on their operations and what they use the base for.”
The Tapa Military Base also allowed the local Estonian firemen, policemen, the prison department, Estonian Air Force and Special Forces to provide displays. The military leaders wanted to provide a variety of career opportunities for the younger generation to choose from if they chose not to make the Estonian Army their career of choice.
“This is a special day because we are celebrating the Anniversary of our Brigade,” said Estonian Army 3rd year officer cadet Jaanus Otsing. “We are also having our annual open house today for our local school students and our Army conscripts to help them choose the direction for their future. This helps give them a little push.”
The students and Army conscripts were able to walk around the displays and even handle some of the equipment. The local firemen allowed the students to wear their gear and gave some of them a ride in their fire truck’s extension ladder lift system.
“This is the first time we have come here and it is a good event for us to find new recruits,” said Argo Pallo, a chief of the Rakvere Fire Station. “We are in need of help and we are always looking for new recruits; I think we found some today.”
The event also included some military training exercises. The children were able to participate in shooting at balloon targets to help them learn how to aim and fire a weapon, throwing a modified smoke grenade, shooting at enemy targets while “patrolling a lane,” and testing their ability to quickly identify camouflaged objects in the woods.
Otsing said that he thought the day went very well, and he was very glad to see that the U.S. Army could be a part of their special day.
“It was a good day, and I think the students and conscripts really liked seeing the different U.S. Army vehicles and weapons,” said Otsing. “Hopefully they can be here next year, too.”
Eagle Troop Soldiers were also glad that they could be a part of the Estonian Army 1st Infantry Brigade’s Anniversary and open house.
“This was a great opportunity for both armies to see each other’s vehicles, weapons and capabilities,” said Pfc. Joseph W. Anderson, a forward observer with Eagle Troop. “I was able to show the aspects of our Stryker and its instruments to the Estonian Soldiers and the children. I think today helped build a greater relationship with our NATO allies in Estonia.”
The U.S. Soldiers partake in events like these during their Operation Atlantic Resolve (OAR) rotation to enhance multinational interoperability, strengthen relationships among our allied forces and contribute to regional stability. OAR activities are part of the U.S. Army Europe land force assurance training taking place across Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. (Story by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Steven M. Colvin/Released)
| Date Taken: | 04.25.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.27.2016 12:29 |
| Story ID: | 196647 |
| Location: | TAPA, EE |
| Web Views: | 335 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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