US airborne company arrives at Ämari

Photo: Toomas Tatar / Postimees

Yesterday afternoon, carried by two planes, a company of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team from US ground troops touched down at Ämari Air Base – to participate in exercises Spring Storm and thereafter to stay in Estonia. As doors opened, close to a hundred «sky soldiers» of the US parachute unit marched out. The rest came earlier, to prepare for the others to come. The men came straight from the NATO base in Veneto, Italy. «It’s perfect here! It was too hot, in Italy,» said an American, Dwayne Steppe.

Andrew Rodriguez (23), from Virginia, USA, said they haven’t come to inspect anybody, just to exercise together. «We’re all so excited! Most of us have never been to Estonia before.»

In his welcoming speech, Estonian president Toomas Hendrik Ilves said the relations between Estonians and Americans have always been good. «To see you here is very important, and powerful. You are making history!» After Mr Ilves, the floor was Jeffrey Levine’s, serving In Estonia as US Ambassador. Mr Levine underlined the Americans are here to learn together. «Sky Soldiers!» he shouted, winding up his speech. «Till the end!» they answered, as one man.

Deputy Commanding General of US Army in Europe Major General Richard C. Longo, arriving with the unit, recognised Estonia for developing defence forces even during times of economic difficulty. To meet the US company, Estonia had lined up its Scoutsbattalion.