Medal awarded to US troops serving in Southern Estonia

At the Defence Forces' Camp Reedo in Võru County, the Ministry of Defence's Permanent Secretary Kaimo Kuusk recognised the members of the 6th Squadron of the 9th Cavalry Regiment (6-9 CAV) of the United States Army with a medal for their service in international military operations in Estonia.

"During your mission, you have trained with members of our own Defence Forces, the Defence League and allied units all over Estonia," Secretary Kuusk noted. "You have enhanced our joint interoperability and helped to consolidate NATO's deterrence and defence posture."

Secretary Kuusk remarked that the troops' presence was a clear demonstration of the strength of NATO's collective defence. "Our alliance is united, with American and Estonian soldiers training side by side," he said. "Our ability to work together is fostered on a daily basis through joint training in different conditions, including cold winters and deep snow. As a key ally, the United States has consistently contributed to NATO's defence posture in Estonia, bolstering deterrence and ensuring our security."

6-9 CAV is an armoured brigade combat team operating M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and M1A2 Abrams tanks. It is the sixth US allied unit to safeguard security in Southern Estonia alongside the country's 2nd Infantry Brigade and Defence League. Battalion-sized American units have been serving in the south of the country on a rotational basis since full-scale war began in Ukraine in 2022.

In addition to US units, a UK-led NATO battlegroup which includes France is also serving in Estonia.

Gallery (photos by the Estonian Defence Forces)

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