Exercise Spring Storm’s activities and training battles have reached the islands — on Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, local Estonian Defence League’s Territorial Defence Unit is practicing defending their homeland alongside the Estonian Defence Forces and allied units.
On Monday, a helicopter assault from the British 16. Air Assault Brigade landed on Saaremaa, aiming to create favourable conditions for the arrival of additional forces. According to the exercise scenario, the Estonian Defence League’s Territorial Defence Units, including reservists known as the “Parseltongue warriors,” are operating against an invading unit. The units comprised of reservists were formed last week, and after refresher training, they began executing their assigned tasks across various locations on Saaremaa Island.
“Being part of the Territorial Defence Unit, our great advantage is that we are close to our home when needed for the defence of the country. We know the local terrain and the people we train with, which creates a unique atmosphere. It also provides a refreshing change from routine life,” said squad leader Sergeant Karl Aksalu.
Yesterday, Major General Ilmar Tamm, Commander of the Estonian Defence League, visited Saaremaa to observe the activities of the Defence League and allied units. “The initial impression is good. I say good, because the number of people participating meets the objective of conducting this exercise.”
According to Major General Tamm, Territorial Defense Units play a crucial role in defending the islands. “All our units stationed on the islands must practice how to defend the islands to prevent the establishment of an enemy Air Defense bubble. This is perhaps the primary role that needs to be fulfilled on the islands.”
In addition to Saaremaa, various defensive activities and battles will be practiced on Hiiumaa in the coming days, where the local Territorial Defence Units will face exercise opposition from a light infantry company according to the scenario.
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.
