{"id":10910,"date":"2023-05-16T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-16T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=10910"},"modified":"2023-05-17T07:05:40","modified_gmt":"2023-05-17T07:05:40","slug":"estonian-defence-league-soldiers-participate-in-us-armys-swift-response-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=10910","title":{"rendered":"Estonian Defence League Soldiers participate in US Army&#8217;s Swift Response 23"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"editor-image photo-slideshow\">\n<figure class=\"photo cur-photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/05\/16\/d57d1ff9\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><\/p>\n<p>              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">1 \/ 3<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                Pvt. Joel Randveer, with the Estonian Defense League, discusses mission details with another soldier during a training exercise in Nurmsi, Estonia, May 11, 2023. The Estonian Defence League, a voluntary Republic of Estonia national defense organization under the management of the Ministry of Defense, is participating in Swift Response 23, one of three linked exercises for DEFENDER 23.<\/p>\n<p>DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: Spc. Steven Lee)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<p><\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/05\/16\/d57d1ff9\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/05\/16\/c1564b13\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Estonian Defence League Soldiers participate in Swift Response 23\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/size0-full-292.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">2 \/ 3<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                Pvt. Joel Randveer, Estonian Defense League, discusses mission details with his unit during a training exercise in Nurmsi, Estonia, May 11, 2023. The Estonian Defence League, a voluntary Republic of Estonia national defense organization under the management of the Ministry of Defense, is participating in Swift Response 23, one of three linked exercises for DEFENDER 23.<\/p>\n<p>DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: Spc. Steven Lee)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<p><\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/05\/16\/c1564b13\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/05\/16\/3b536b2f\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Estonian Defence League Soldiers participate in Swift Response 23\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/size0-full-293.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">3 \/ 3<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                Estonia Defence League soldiers conduct perimeter security during a training exercise in Nurmsi, Estonia, May 11, 2023. The Estonian Defence League, a voluntary Republic of Estonia national defense organization under the management of the Ministry of Defense, is participating in Swift Response 23, one of three linked exercises for DEFENDER 23.<\/p>\n<p>DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: Spc. Steven Lee)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<p><\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/05\/16\/3b536b2f\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>NURMSI, Estonia \u2013 The Estonian Defence League is a voluntary national defense organization of the Republic of Estonia, under the management of the Ministry of Defence. In Estonia, a person aged 17-60 can volunteer to serve as a soldier for the defense of the country.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey are the volunteers, who are coming and spending their free time to be a part of our home defense base with no additional payment,\u201d said Col. Viktor Kalnitski, Training Section Commander of Estonian Defence Forces Headquarters. \u201cWe are appreciative of their efforts for our home.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Pvt. Joel Randveer, a soldier who was originally a web page designer in his civilian career, decided to volunteer for the EDL one year ago.<\/p>\n<p>While serving in the EDL, he admits to learning new skills such as leadership and quick thinking, which has helped him in his civilian career. Additionally, Randveer says he has also benefited by incorporating his civilian profession into helping his fellow soldiers out.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen someone has problems with their mobile device or radio communications, I can help out due to my prior knowledge of this,\u201d said Randveer. \u201cIn my hands, there are no problems.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"editor-image photo-slideshow\">\n<figure class=\"photo cur-photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/05\/16\/de72b6ca\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Estonian Defence League Soldiers participate in Swift Response 23\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/size0-full-294.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">1 \/ 3<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                Estonian Defense League soldiers discuss an oncoming drone flight during a training exercise in Nurmsi, Estonia, May 11, 2023. The Estonian Defence League, a voluntary Republic of Estonia national defense organization under the management of the Ministry of Defense, is participating in Swift Response 23, one of three linked exercises for DEFENDER 23.<\/p>\n<p>DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: Spc. Steven Lee)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<p><\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/05\/16\/de72b6ca\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/05\/16\/643f3f89\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Estonian Defence League Soldiers participate in Swift Response 23\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/size0-full-295.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">2 \/ 3<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                Estonian Defence League soldiers spot an oncoming drone during a training exercise in Nurmsi, Estonia, May 11, 2023. The Estonian Defence League, a voluntary Republic of Estonia national defense organization under the management of the Ministry of Defense, is participating in Swift Response 23, one of three linked exercises for DEFENDER 23.<\/p>\n<p>DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, P<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: Spc. Steven Lee)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<p><\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/05\/16\/643f3f89\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/05\/16\/d5367592\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Estonian Defence League Soldiers participate in Swift Response 23\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/size0-full-296.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">3 \/ 3<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                Pvt. Joel Randveer, Estonian Defense League, discusses mission details with other soldiers during a training exercise in Nurmsi, Estonia, May 11, 2023. The Estonian Defence League, a voluntary Republic of Estonia national defense organization under the management of the Ministry of Defense, is participating in Swift Response 23, one of three linked exercises for DEFENDER 23.<\/p>\n<p>DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the <br \/>United States.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: Spc. Steven Lee)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<p><\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/05\/16\/d5367592\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Randveer, along with other soldiers in his unit, is participating in Swift Response 23, which is part of DEFENDER 23. DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command directed multi-national, joint exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between U.S. and NATO allies and partners.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy job today in this exercise is to hold my position and take down any paratroopers that come,\u201d said Randveer. \u201cThis training is important because we can join exercises with different groups and countries, while also giving us more coworkers, more exercises, and more knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>During Swift Response 23, the EDL\u2019s soldiers work to improve their readiness for any future threats and wars against the country with their personnel dedicated to voluntarily protecting their home.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy decision to join came from defending my home against any possible dangers,\u201d said Randveer. \u201cMy love for my home is the number one reason I joined the EDL.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.europeafrica.army.mil\/DefenderEurope\/\" target=\"_blank\">DEFENDER 23<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1 \/ 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption \u2013 Pvt. Joel Randveer, with the Estonian Defense League, discusses mission details with another soldier during a training exercise in Nurmsi, Estonia, May 11, 2023. The Estonian Defence League, a voluntary Republic of Estonia national defense organization under the management of the Ministry of Defense, is participating [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10912,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10910","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10910"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10910\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10919,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10910\/revisions\/10919"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10910"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10910"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10910"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}