PÄRNU, Estonia — U.S. Army soldiers from Task Force Iron and the Maryland National Guard, along with NATO allies, demonstrated solidarity with Estonia by participating in the Victory Day parade on June 23, 2025.
A color guard team with soldiers from the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division in support of Task Force Iron and Guardsmen from the Maryland National Guard represented the United States in the parade. The team marched with NATO allies and Estonian Armed Forces into the city square for the ceremony, demonstrating NATO members' solidarity and commitment to Baltic security.
“U.S. involvement in today's event was very important because it continuously shows to our partners that we are there for them, and we continue to support NATO in all aspects,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brice Bell, pilot with Alpha Company, 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment.
After the President of Estonia inspected the troops, he lit the torches of Estonian Defense League members representing all 15 counties of the country. These members are charged with bringing their torches home, symbolizing spreading of the light of freedom throughout Estonia.
A flyover of Estonian and NATO aircraft followed, led by two U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawks from Alpha Company, 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, supporting Task Force Iron. They flew low over the crowd, showcasing allied capabilities and interoperability for the distinguished visitors and others in attendance.
“As part of this event, we have to coordinate with Portuguese fighter pilots and the ground air traffic controller from Estonia and all of the air traffic control services that we have in Latvia. We're practicing crossing borders in our tactical aircraft,” said U.S. Army Capt. Jason Peachy, commander of Alpha Company, 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, “All of the sequence and timing supports combined operations between countries.”
The Victory Day Parade is held every year to commemorate Estonia's victory in the War of Independence during the Battle of Võnnu on June 23, 1919, against Baltic German forces during a critical moment in Estonia’s fight for independence.
The holiday was banned by Soviet authorities in Estonia in 1944 after they re-established control and was reinstated in 1992 when Estonia regained independence. Since then, it has celebrated the nation's resilient spirit and honors Estonian forces fighting to preserve freedom, emphasizing their ongoing commitment to regional security and NATO allies.
“Independent defense capability must go hand-in-hand with military alliances. Never again do we intend to stand alone. I would like to thank the soldiers, men and women from the United Kingdom, France and the United States who are permanently stationed here in Estonia and are present on parade today,” said Alar Karis, president of Estonia.
The Maryland National Guard partnered with Estonia in 1993 after the Soviet Union collapsed. As Estonia regained its independence, the MDNG, through the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program, helped develop a modern defense infrastructure and played a direct role in Estonia's NATO accession in 2004. U.S. Cyber Command and European Command regard Maryland’s partnership with Estonia as a model for international defense cooperation.
The U.S. presence in Estonia enhances combat readiness, ensuring U.S. forces can operate effectively alongside Latvian and NATO allies in diverse conditions.
Task Force Iron’s mission is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent to increase lethality while strengthening partnerships with NATO allies and regional security partners. The task force provides combat-credible forces to V Corps, America’s only forward-deployed corps in Europe.
Article written by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Novak, 70th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Date Taken: | 06.26.2025 |
Date Posted: | 06.27.2025 10:42 |
Story ID: | 501658 |
Location: | PARNU, EE |
Web Views: | 51 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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