U.S. Army marches in Estonian Independence Day parade

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Ondirae Abdullah-Robinson | Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, 75th Field Artillery Brigade, supporting 4th Infantry Division, from Fort Sill, Okla., march in the Estonian Independence Day parade Feb. 24, 2023, in the country’s capital, Tallin to promote our strong bilateral relationship with the nation. The 4th Infantry Division's mission in Europe is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent in order to build readiness, increase our operability and reinforce our steadfast and loyal commitment to our Allies and partners which make up an integral part of the Ivy Team.  

TALLINN, ESTONIA

02.24.2023

Story by Pvt. Jason Klaer 

4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

TALLINN, Estonia – Steel is usually brittle at cold temperatures, but the Soldiers from the ‘Steel Warrior’ battalion marched through the cold temperatures with their premier rocket launching system, the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), to recognize the 105th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Estonia.
Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, 75th Field Artillery Brigade, from Fort Sill, Okla. and supporting the 4th Infantry Division in Europe, marched with their NATO counterparts in the Estonian Independence Day parade in Tallinn, Estonia, Feb. 24, 2023.
On this date in 1918, the Manifest of All Peoples was published in Tallinn, declaring an independent and democratic Republic of Estonia. Independence Day, officially known as Eesti Vabariigi aastapäev, is a national holiday in Estonia recognizing the Estonian Declaration of Independence.
U.S. Army Col. Damon Wells, commander of the 4th Division Artillery, 4th Infantry Division, watched the parade and spoke about the significance of the parade.
“Our biggest line of effort is Estonia, helping build the division headquarters.” Wells said.
Soldiers from the 1-14th Field Artillery Regiment represented the United States steadfast commitment to the region in reassuring NATO Allies and strengthening deterrence capabilities with partnered forces.
Sgt. Jalen Johnson, a HIMARS operator assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, spoke highly about his participation in the parade.
“It is a great honor and a great privilege to march with our counterparts in the parade,” Johnson said. “It’s been a great experience being out here in Estonia, we have learned a lot from one another and showed each other our capabilities.”
The Chief of the Estonian Defence Forces, General Martin Herem, conducted the parade and was reviewed by Estonian President, Alar Karis.
The national anthem of the Republic of Estonia played and the parade kicked off. High spirits and good cheer filled the streets as countless onlookers waved, clapped and flew Estonian flags as the Soldiers and military vehicles passed by.
The United States military participates in these multinational events to introduce Soldiers with their counterparts in Allied and partnered countries and demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. to NATO and the region.

• Date Taken: 02.24.2023
• Date Posted: 02.27.2023 02:39
• Story ID: 439186
• Location: TALLINN, EE