Estonian, US forces receive new jump wings

By Sgt. Juana NesbittJuly 27, 2015

Estonian, US forces receive new jump wings
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Darrin Sutton, red cap, a parachute rigger with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, assists in adjusting a parachute before a jump inspection at a drop zone in Nurmsi, Eston... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Estonian, US forces receive new jump wings
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Estonian, US forces receive new jump wings
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Estonian, US forces receive new jump wings
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Estonian, US forces receive new jump wings
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NURMSI, Estonia (July 24, 2015) -- Despite ominous clouds, which lingered from the day before, Estonian and U.S. Army paratroopers, began the day early to conduct the joint airborne operations exercise they had been planning two days before a drop zone near Nurmsi.

"We've been training and preparing with the Estonian airborne unit that is out here to conduct airborne operations," said Sgt. Hector Ortega of Rancho Cucamonga, California, a jumpmaster with Destined Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.

"It was a joint exercise with Estonian and U.S. Army Soldiers," said Pvt. Karita Ortus of Kohlta-Jarve, a volunteer with the Estonian Defense League. "We were given the opportunity to jump from a UH-60 Black hawk Helicopter."

As the morning progressed, the skies began to clear and the paratroopers proceeded to issue parachutes and conduct jumpmaster personnel inspections.

Ortus stated she was really excited to finally get the chance to jump and understands the importance of training with her counterparts.

"I don't really know how to explain it. I feel like I've done something really great," she said. "[Training together] is really useful, this is how we get to know each other and see what's important to each other."

For the brigade defense officer with the Estonian Defense Force, it was an honor to learn from and jump with the U.S. Army paratroopers and was impressed by their professionalism.

"U.S. Army Airborne personnel are much more professional than we are," said Capt. Taavi Talunik of Rakvere. "It was a great honor to jump with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team and I won't forget this day for the rest of my life."

When it was all over, about 150 U.S. and Estonian Soldiers jumped and the partnered nations held a small foreign wing-pinning ceremony right on the drop zone.

Spc. Malachi Lavergne of Lake Charles, Louisiana, a small arms repair specialist with G Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, said receiving his Estonian jump wings was a blessing and reinforces why the U.S. Army is in Estonia.

"I think it creates a wider, broader image between the U.S. and Estonia," he said. "It's not just the Estonian army or the American Army but it's a bigger picture, everybody needs one another, and that's what we are looking for."

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