On May 13-14, Spring Storm training battles took place near Abja-Paluoja and Tihemetsa, involving the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigades along with allied units from the NATO Battlegroup.
On May 13, reservists from the 2nd Infantry Brigade’s 2nd Kuperjanov’s Infantry Battalion and Allied units were concentrated around Abja-Paluoja, tasked with defending and repelling potential advancements by the opposing force within their area of responsibility.
“Before Abja-Paluoja, we conducted delaying actions, where our task was to fend off the enemy’s advance towards Kilingi-Nõmme,” said reservist Ensign Timo Tiirats, Commander of the 2nd Kuperjanov Infantry Battalion’s 2nd Anti-Tank Platoon.
The 2nd Kuperjanov Infantry Battalion was reinforced with allied units from various countries to enhance interoperability during manoeuvres. “My task was to ensure coordination between the Estonians and the allies,” said reservist Ensign Markus Karolin, Commander of the 2nd Kuperjanov Infantry Battalion’s 3rd Anti-Tank Platoon. “The allies feel very welcome here. They have mentioned that people in Estonia are very pleasant and friendly.”
On the morning of May 13, near pre-scouted positions, a motorized unit consisting of the 1st Infantry Brigade and allied units began their manoeuvres, with the objective of capturing Abja-Paluoja. On May 14, the unit’s goal was to advance towards Tihemetsa area.
“So far, everything has gone well. The men are healthy and battle-ready in any situation,” said Staff Sergeant Pirger Laur of the Viru Infantry Battalion. “I am satisfied with the men’s pace of movement, and the warm weather has been in our favour. Additionally, there is excellent cooperation with the allies, who assist both in the staff procedures and in the field. Overall, the tempo remains high, and the morale of the fighters is good.”
Among the allied units participating in Exercise Spring Storm is the NATO Latvian Battle Group. “The NATO’s Battlegroup Latvian came to Estonia after extensive preparation, fully combat-ready, to participate in Exercise Spring Storm,” said Captain James Shrubb, Public affairs Officer of the NATO Battlegroup Latvia. “We have learned over the past few months, including during Exercise Spring Storm, how to better handle different terrains. We have been very well received in Estonia, including by the local residents. This exercise as a whole is a great example that together we are stronger, both as friends and allies.”
The Spring Storm exercise involves units from the army, air force and navy, including the Division Headquarters, the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigades, the Support Command, the Cyber Command, and other units of the Estonian Defence Forces and the Estonian Defence League. Participants include NATO Battlegroup’s members serving in Estonia as well as military personnel from allied and partner countries. In total, approximately 14,000 soldiers are participating in the exercise.
Spring Storm is the largest annual exercise of the Estonian Defence Forces, during which military operations planning and execution are practiced, as well as enhanced cooperation between Estonian and allied units. The exercise involves active-duty military personnel, conscripts, reservists, members of the Estonian Defence League, and participants from allied nations.
Spring Storm 2024 is part of the NATO exercise series Steadfast Defender 2024, representing a significant component of this extensive NATO exercise. Steadfast Defender 2024 is the largest NATO exercise in decades, with nearly 90,000 participants from all 32 member states participating over a six-month period from January to July 2024. The broader framework for the exercise has been set by confirmed NATO regional defence plans.
