CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, Estonia (May 25, 2015) -- From the top of a hill, overlooking the dense Estonian woods, U.S. Soldiers with Team Estonia, as the first firing order, staged their Humvees in preparation for the live-fire small arms and missile ranges at the Central Training Area near Tapa, Estonia, May 23.
"Today the focus is to work on anti-tank weapons that we use as a scout platoon and troop in order to qualify and verify operability of our systems," said Lt. Joseph Davey of Libertyville, Illinois, platoon leader with Anvil Troop, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade. "We also have our mortars [men] out here working on crew serve and small-arms weapons."
Team Estonia consisted of Anvil Troop and a mortar platoon with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, both of 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and a tank platoon with 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
Throughout the day, the Soldiers on the hill practiced aiming and firing the tube-launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided and Javelin missiles, and AT-4 anti-tank rocket launchers. Each time, they ensured they followed proper firing sequences and safety procedures.
One of the firers was Sgt. Martin Ounpuu, U.S. troops' liaison with 1st Brigade, Estonian Defense Force, who got the chance to launch an AT-4.
Ounpuu first learned about the weapon during his initial training, "But right now the Americans just gave me the best instruction I've ever had," he said. "It was a pretty nice experience for me."
The small-arms and missile ranges took place during Operation Atlantic Resolve, or OAR, which is an ongoing series of exercises designed to build relationships trust, and interoperability between the United States and its NATO allies.
During OAR, "the [U.S. Troops] show their force capabilities and help us conduct operations, like Operation Siil," Ounpuu said. "They will also help us learn how to deal with tanks and other equipment and how to use them in the field."
Round after round, the Soldiers sent missiles down upon simulated targets that lit the dreary day, like fireworks. But it was an experience that was a little different than the norm.
"Usually, the range is already set up for us, it's established and we just pull up and shoot," Davey said. "Although it's nice, we learn more out here where we have to set it up ourselves and work with the Estonians in order to set it up based on their rules and guidelines, which gives us a better perspective."
As the first firing order wrapped up its turn, Davey was glad for the opportunity to work with his Estonian counterparts.
"It's a good opportunity to get together and work with these guys one-on-one using very similar tactics with different equipment and still have to accomplish that same goal," Davey said. Through this, "we can relate on the same level and learn from each other."
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