TALLINN – SHAPE Partnerships Directorate Deputy Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Gunnstein Bruåsdal, visited Estonian Defence Force (EDF) components operating with NATO Forces based throughout Estonia during a trip to the country from Nov. 26 to 29.
The visiting delegation received extensive briefings from the 1st Estonian Brigade, the Spanish Detachment conducting Air Policing, in conjunction with the Spanish Ground Based Air Defence Task Force and several maritime assets at the Tallinn Naval Base.
“Visiting the Forward Presence Battlegroup, Air Policing personnel and Estonian Maritime operations reinforced very firmly how capable NATO's defence is in providing regional flank protection. NATO's rapid defence and reinforcement posture was clearly visible in the briefings and fully understood by all personnel within these Force Domains,” said the Rear Admiral. “Furthermore, the professionalism and commitment of the Estonian personnel. both volunteers and conscripts reflected their resolve and total focus on defending sovereign territory.”
As a key Alliance member Estonia contributes significantly with other capabilities such as cyberspace defence and Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration facilities. Additionally, with Finland as the latest member, maritime cooperation is stronger than ever in the region.
Furthermore, Estonian exercise SIIL remains the major Home Defence and mobilisation exercise for the country. SIIL, meaning hedgehog, is an annual large-scale exercise primarily focused on reservists, though regular EDF members, members of the volunteer Defence League (Kaitseliit) and personnel from NATO allied nations participate. Finland began participating in exercise SIIL for several years before joining the Alliance.