Today, reservists from the 27th Engineer Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Brigade practiced demining, detonating explosives, and conducted shooting drills at the Väluste shooting range in order to prepare for the next phases of the exercise.
“Fighters are strong-willed and ready to support the brigade’s manoeuvres under any circumstances,” said Captain Aso Licht, the Chief of Staff of the 27th Engineer Battalion. He added that feedback from reservists has been positive, as the exercise provides a break from routine, an opportunity to meet old comrades and to make new friends. “Among the reservists are both those who recently completed conscription and those who served 10 years ago.”
On Monday, the reservists of the 27th Engineer Battalion were assembled at Raadi base in Tartu and relocated to the Väluste training area in Viljandimaa by evening to begin post-formation training. The following day involved shooting exercises, medical and tactical training, and training with chainsaws and power drills for engineering squad equipment. Training for the technical squads on soil operations and culvert replacement using heavy machinery has also started. By Wednesday, in addition to ongoing shooting drills, demolition drills with hand charges were initiated. After refreshment training, the battalion will move to the area of operations, where it will begin setting up blockades and preparing positions.
“The Spring Storm has been action-packed so far. I have been able to refresh the skills gained during my conscription, which is still in my muscle memory,” said Corporal Kristjan Laid, who completed his conscription in 2018.
The Engineer Battalion is a combat support unit aimed at impeding enemy movement in the terrain and ensuring mobility and cover for its own units. In the battalion, soldiers are trained in mine warfare and combat demining, as well as field fortification, use of engineering equipment, and construction of barriers and bridges.
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 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.
