Monday, May 20th
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans and Capabilities Dr. James H. Anderson visited Estonia May 16 – 18 in order to meet with Ministry of Defense and Estonian Defense Forces’ leadership and discuss opportunities to deepen the U.S.-Estonia defense relationship. The Assistant Secretary’s visit underscored the United States’ ironclad commitment to NATO, and how the two countries are working together to improve NATO readiness and advance bilateral defense cooperation.
During his time in Estonia, Assistant Secretary Anderson toured Ämari Air base, where he saw how approximately $17 million worth of investment by the United States has significantly increased the capacity and preparedness of the facility. Assistant Secretary Anderson then met with Estonian Special Forces’ leadership, who briefed him on how Estonian and American service members train and exercise together to improve readiness and interoperability. In addition, the Assistant Secretary took part in the International Centre for Defence and Security’s (ICDS) Lennart Meri Conference in Tallinn on May 18, participating in a panel focused on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
The U.S. has provided more than $100 million in combined security assistance to Estonia over the last several years, and conducts nearly 150 military-to-military engagements per year, with over 60 of those involving U.S. personnel in Estonia. Assistant Secretary Anderson’s meetings in Estonia is the latest example of on-going cooperation between NATO Allies.
