Maryland Airmen Train with Logistics Counterparts in Estonia

PARNU, Estonia - Eight Maryland Air National Guard Airmen partnered with Estonian Defense League members to conduct Operation Baltic Rhino, a convoy operations training exercise, Sept. 13-15 at the Eametsa military base in Parnu.

Airmen assigned to the 175th Logistics Readiness Squadron facilitated the exercise as an opportunity to exchange knowledge and best practices with their Estonian counterparts at the EDL Regional Command West, underscoring the commitment of the Maryland National Guard and its partners to maintaining effective joint logistical operations, interoperability and readiness on a global scale.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity the Estonian Defense League has given us to share our knowledge and capabilities with them," said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Monica Aragon, 175th LRS senior enlisted leader. "These types of engagements enhance our ability to operate as efficient, cross-functional teams capable of navigating and adapting to ever-changing mission requirements."

The exercise convoy operations training incorporated classroom workshops and hands-on opportunities to practice applying the lessons learned.

Classroom instruction focused on logistics management procedures and protocol. Members of the 175th LRS presented briefings on tactical operations, maintenance strategies, refueling procedures and emergency response protocols. EDL members shared examples of pre-inspection procedures for vehicles used during convoy operations, such as personnel carriers, fuel vehicles and ambulances.

The exercise concluded with a 13-vehicle convoy across a 200-kilometer route around the perimeter of the Parnu region to test and improve communication, strategic planning and execution of logistics operations in a joint environment. Convoy members faced a combination of scenarios that required reactions at combat speed.

The 175th LRS Airmen partnered with their EDL counterparts to help find solutions together. Training scenarios included a simulated medical evacuation, refueling, changing a blown tire, and maneuvering a road closure. Estonia provided cargo transport vehicles, personnel carriers, G-Wagons, medical evacuation and other support vehicles.

"Having an opportunity to participate in a joint exercise with our allies is a great way to compare our logistics procedures and gain insights how to improve planning and executing our convoy operations," said Estonian Sgt. Mihkel Sold, an EDL medical evacuation team leader.

Though the Maryland National Guard has partnered with Estonia through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program since 1993, Aragon says the exercise was the first of its kind for the 175th Wing.

The 175th Wing has flown the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft since 1979, establishing the wing's flying mission as the traditional focus for 175th LRS operations. The Maryland A-10s first came to Estonia for Exercise Saber Strike in 2013 and continued to return every couple of years. However, Aragon saw an opportunity for the 175th LRS to engage further with its partners.

"My idea was to involve the 175th LRS as a sole mission support function rather than being associated only as support for the wing's A-10 flying mission," said Aragon.

The 175th LRS also facilitated an exchange with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Maryland's partner nation through the SPP since 2003, the previous week. Four Airmen visited the Army Hall in Sarajevo to begin conversations that lay a foundation for hosting similar collaborative missions in the Balkan nation.

"I'm proud the LRS team is leading from the front and creating new and lasting relationships with our state partners," said Aragon. "I'm confident this is just the first of many joint events to come."

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.