Maryland–Estonia National Guard Partnership

The Maryland–Estonia National Guard Partnership is one of 22 European partnerships that make-up the U.S. European Command State Partnership Program and one of 65 worldwide partnerships that make-up the National Guard State Partnership Program.[2] The partnership serves as a success model to other nations.

Maryland's governor and Estonia's deputy governor sign a memorandum of understanding in 2009 - an extension of the relationship begun in 1993 - designed to encourage and strengthen cultural and social relationships between the two countries.
The Estonian ambassador to the United States visits the Army Aviation Support Facility in Maryland to meet with Estonian Air Force pilots training with the Maryland Army National Guard.
Maryland–Estonia State Partnership
Part of the U.S. European Command State Partnership Program
Origin1993
Country PresidentToomas Hendrik Ilves
Prime MinisterAndrus Ansip
Minister of DefenseUrmas Reinsalu
Ambassador to U.S.Marina Kaljurand
Ambassador to EstoniaJames D. Melville Jr.
Adjutant GeneralMG Timothy E. Gowen
2012 Engagements9[1]
Current ISAF Pax150
NATO memberYes (2004)
EU memberYes (2004)
Estonia

History
  • EU and NATO accession in 2004 / Eurozone in Jan 2011
  • The Estonian economy has recovered to pre-crisis levels and is reporting approximately 1.9% growth.
  • Major concerns: energy security, cyber defense, emigration "brain drain" and initial defense.
  • NATO is the cornerstone of Estonia's National Security. Their defense model focuses on Initial Defense and NATO led Expeditionary Operations.
  • Estonia cooperates extensively with Latvia and Lithuania on joint military exercises. However, Estonia views itself primarily as a Scandinavian country, not Baltic and has close cultural and governmental ties with those countries.[3]

Partnership focus

The current focus of the Maryland-Estonia Partnership is purely military-to-military based and includes ISAF Operational Support, Cyber Defense, Special Operations Forces (SOF) development, EST Air Force development, and the development of a Veteran Care/Warrior Warrior Program. To this end, Estonia hopes to improve training and force protection in support of ISAF and export expertise in cyber defense, explosive ordnance disposal, and E-governance to other NATO/EU nations. Additionally, Estonia seeks opportunities to increase their support of international operations, co-deployments with MD and enhanced regional M2M/Security Cooperation efforts.[3]

References
  1. "2012 SPP Events" (PDF). U.S. European Command. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 March 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  2. "National Guard SPP". The National Guard. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  3. "SPP Data" (PDF). U.S. European Command. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2013.

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