Anvil Troop helps Estonian Defense Force train

Photo By Sgt. Juana Nesbitt | A Soldier with the Estonian Defense Force takes a short knee before continuing his advance on the target April 22, at the Central Training Area during Operation Tornado. During the exercise and throughout Operation Atlantic Resolve, the United States joined its NATO allies to train and stand together to maintain a Europe that is safe, secure, and prosperous. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Juana M. Nesbitt, 13th Public Affairs Detachment)  

CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, ESTONIA

04.23.2015

Story by Sgt. Juana Nesbitt 

13th Public Affairs Detachment

CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, Estonia – Among the dense Estonian pine woods and bone chilling breeze, Soldiers of Anvil Troop, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade set up defense positions against the Estonian Defense Force during Operation Tornado April 21-23, at the Central Training Area.

“Operation Tornado is a train up exercise for the EDF,” said Capt. Timothy Keilty, commander of 1-91 CAV. “They are training up for Operation Sill, a larger training event that will take place in early May.

“Today we assisted the Estonians by playing as their opposing force. They had two battalions conducting an attack, and we had our forces staged around the battlefield,” he continued.

Operation Tornado and Operation Sill are a part of Operation Atlantic Resolve an effort by the United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies, who strive to build relationships, trust, and enhance interoperability between the two countries.

Although this is the first time the United States and Estonia have worked together in Estonia, Capt. Dimitri Kondratenro, commander of Bravo Company, Viro Battalion, 1st Infantry Brigade, stated that working with the Americans was a great opportunity.

“We see how you conduct things and it teaches us,” Kondratenro said. “This exercise helps our Soldiers develop great skills.”

Throughout the day and into the night, the pop of blank rounds was heard in the distance as the EDF gained control of its simulated targets until they reached their final showdown.

“We had to capture several objectives along the way before getting here,” Kondratenro said.

For Sgt. Raymond Betancourt, senior combat medic for Anvil Troop, the best thing about this kind of training is getting to work together with the Estonians.

“The more you practice together the better you will be as a team,” said the Kissime, Florida native.

Betancourt also stated he was curious to see how the EDF handles situations in combat.

“I would like to see their tactics, how they operate in their environment, maybe learn some of their field craft, pick it up and add it to my own tool kit,” he said.

At the end of the day, the EDF learned about tactics at the battalion and brigade level, said Kielty.

“This training exercise better prepares Estonian allies in the event of any possible adversary,” said the Plainview, New York native. “They will be a better-trained force and I’m glad Anvil Troop can help them out with that.”

• Date Taken: 04.23.2015
• Date Posted: 04.24.2015 11:51
• Story ID: 161140
• Location: CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, EE
• Hometown: KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA, US
• Hometown: PLAINVIEW, NEW YORK, US