A U.S. tank platoon armed with Abrams tanks and two airborne platoons of the U.S. Army are scheduled to arrive at the Tapa base in northeastern Estonia at the end of this week to take part in a training exercise with the Estonian defense forces.
US to station tank platoon in Estonia
In addition to Abrams tanks also support equipment and other vehicles are about to arrive at Tapa, military spokespeople told BNS. The Army personnel will replace the soldiers of the U.S. 2nd Cavalry Regiment stationed at Tapa now. The hardware and equipment of the new rotation will arrive by rail.
The U.S. Army personnel to start service at Tapa soon will take part in the Siil 2015 (Hedgehog 2015) large scale exercise that is due to bring together more than 13,000 reservists, Kaitseliit (Defense League) volunteers, conscripts, active service military and allied personnel in May.
The presence of U.S. troops at Tapa is part of the U.S. operation Atlantic Resolve in northeastern Estonia aimed at deterrence and strengthening of NATO security measures. The U.S. is keeping a company-size unit in Estonia as part of the operation.
The echelon with the U.S. hardware is scheduled to arrive at Tapa at 7 a.m. on Saturday.