Today was the final day of Commander of NATO Multinational Corps North- East Lieutenant- General Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart visit to Estonia. The Commander of NATO MNC NE met with Major General Veiko- Vello Palm, Commander of the Estonian Division and observed live- firing exercise of the Division 2nd Infantry Brigade Kuperjanov Battalion at LIVEX Tornado, led by Viru Battalion of the Division 1st Infantry Brigade.
According to Lieutenant General von Sandrart the live firing exercises Tornado showed that the Estonian Army integrates capabilities which bolster our constant readiness to deter and defend across NATO’s northeastern flank. „It was a well- organized exercise. Soldiers showed dedicated spirit and were committed to our mission: be ready to fight and win, „said Lieutenant- General von Sandrart.
According to the Commander of Estonian Division Major General Palm an operational Estonian Division gives the best possible input for the higher level NATO units like Multinational Corps North- East to effectively operate on Estonian territory. Major General Palm sees the process of integrating Estonian units training process with allies and development of EDF infrastructure as equally important. „Both we as well as our Allies need the infrastructure. We need to show our potential adversary real actions, as only words do not act as deterrence“, stressed the Commander of Estonian Division.
“I’m confident that this structure will further enhance Multinational Corps Northeast’s combat capability. The creation of ESTDIV is forward-leaning and inspiring step. For me it is the example of host nation to accountably commit to NATO “stated Lieutenant General von Sandrart in respect of Estonia creating its Division. After meetings with Commander of the Estonian Divison and Allied Forces that are part of DIVEST, the Commander of NATO Multinational Corps North- East summarized his visit: „We are on the right track. We are opening a new chapter in the history of land power in the Baltic Sea region.”
Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast (HQ MNC NE) based in Szczecin, Poland is part of the NATO Force Structure created upon initiative of Denmark, Poland and Germany in 1999. The Headquarters provides the unity of command for NATO activities across Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland. As the highest NATO command in the region, HQ MNC NE has been assigned responsibility for the NATO ground troops already deployed to the north-eastern flank of the Alliance. Currently HQ MNC NE in Poland, Multinational Division North in Latvia, NATO Battlegroups in Baltic States and Poland and regional NATO staff elements are subordinated to HQ MNC NE.
The Estonian Division is the largest land force unit of the Estonian Defence Forces, which operates under the direct authority of the Chief of Defence. Division’s operational area covers the entire territory of Estonia. Estonian Division is transferred to the NATO chain of command and subordinated to Multinational Corps Northeast. Estonian Division fulfills two main purposes in the military defence of Estonia: it unites the battles of the territorial defence forces, brigades and units from other commands and acts as a link between the Allies and their military capabilities. Estonian Division includes units from Estonia and Allied countries. Estonian units in Division are 1st Infantry Brigade, 2nd Infantry Brigade, Logistics Battalion, Headquarters and Signal Battalion, and an Artillery Battalion. Division is capable of integrating additional units under the Division’s commander control.
