This week, more than 70 United States Marines arrived in Estonia for a nearly four-month operation.
“This deployment is a fantastic opportunity for the Marines and Sailors from Task Force 61/2’s Mobile Reconnaissance Company (MRC) to train alongside our Estonian Allies, ” said Capt. Brandon Klewicki, MRC Company Commander. “Integrating our stand-in forces with the Estonian military enhances our maritime domain awareness and demonstrates our unified strength and dedication to ensuring regional security and stability.”
Marines service in Estonia lasts until the middle of July. During these three and a half months, they cooperate with the Estonian navy in the field of monitoring and maritime situational awareness, operating in various coastal areas and islands all over Estonia.
During this period, the annual Estonian military exercise Springstorm takes place, in which the US contingent participates as part of the Estonian Navy.
“We participate in cooperation and exchange of information on the maritime environment with our allies in peacetime conditions on a daily basis. This operation allows us to practice and prepare for the most effective cooperation with allied naval forces even in the conditions of a possible crisis or conflict scenario,” said the Chief of Staff of the Estonian Navy, Captain (N) Indrek Hanson.
During the operation, the US contingent will be stationed in the Estonian Navy base in Tallinn.
The same unit was also in Estonia from April to June last year and participated in the large-scale military exercise Hedgehog 2022.
Task Force 61/2 is a rapidly deployable and scalable coordination cell that commands Fleet Marine Forces and assigned Naval Forces in support of Sixth Fleet operations.
