Prime Minister Andrus Ansip to recognise mission soldiers

Photo: Toomas Tatar

At the reception in Stenbock House today, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip extended his gratitude to members of the defence forces who had served on missions abroad last year and their family members.

The Prime Minister thanked the members of the defence forces who were gathered at the reception for everything they had done for Estonia. “On 27 March we celebrated Lasting Liberty Day – you are the ones who have made that lasting liberty a reality,” said Prime Minister Andrus Ansip. “You know very well that if we help others, we in turn can rely on their help. It is thanks to your service that Estonia is strong and well protected. You have hardened your mind and body on missions abroad in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Kosovo and on vessel protection teams and this has significantly strengthened our defence potential. Thank you very much,” added Prime Minister Ansip.

In his speech, the Prime Minister also thanked the families of the members of the defence forces as without their support it would be very hard, if not impossible, to defend Estonia on foreign missions.

The Prime Minister presented the gathered members of the defence forces with a copy of the book The Anthem of Estonia (written by Küllo Harjaks), bearing an inscription.

The commander of Estcon-13, Lieutenant Colonel Margus Koplimägi, thanked the Prime Minister for the reception and recalled the visit of Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Brigadier General Riho Terras to Afghanistan. “This meant a lot for us, this meant that we are cared for, we are respected and we are awaited back home,” said Lieutenant Colonel Margus Koplimägi. “I do hope that we left behind a better Afghanistan,” Margus Koplimägi added.

Lieutenant Colonel Margus Koplimägi too extended his gratitude to all family members and acknowledged that without their support it would be impossible for defence force personnel to participate in missions abroad.

The gratitude reception was attended by the Estcon-13 contingent who served in Afghanistan from May to November 2012, vessel protection teams number 3 and 4 and members of the defence forces who served in Kosovo and within the UNTSO. The loved ones and families of the members of the defence forces were also gathered at the reception .

The Estcon-13 contingent, which served in Afghanistan and is led by Lieutenant Colonel Margus Koplimägi, consists of the Estcoy-14 infantry company led by Captain Eero Aija and the NSE-13 national logistic support element under the command of Captain Rivo Aavel, and also the close protection team and staff officers.

Estcoy-14 altered its location and function in the course of its service. In August, the company moved from Patrol Base Wahid and its nearby check points to Patrol Base Pimon. At first the function of Estcoy-14 was to ensure the security of the local community in the Loy Mandeh region and thereby foster development and rebuilding efforts in their area of responsibility, but later on it was reorganised into a manoeuvre unit in the area of responsibility of the entire battle group.

Estcoy-14 was the first company to use new armoured vehicles. In the course of the six months, the company performed nearly 650 patrols and 24 pre-planned company operations. The unit was supported from Camp Bastion by the NSE-13 national logistic support element.

The Estonian Estcon-13 contingent was visited by Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, Minister of Defence Urmas Reinsalu, chargé d'affaires of the Republic of Estonia in Afghanistan Vahur Soosaar, Commander of the Defence Forces Brigadier General Riho Terras and Commander of the General Staff of the Defence Forces Colonel Peeter Hoppe.