October 23, 2019
The Commanding General, U.S. Army Regional Health Command Europe and Command Surgeon, U.S. Army Europe, Brigadier General Ronald Stephens, traveled to Estonia for the first time October 21-22. During his two-day stay in Estonia, he visited East Tallinn Central Hospital’s Medical Rehabilitation Clinic and met with counterparts from the Estonian Defense Forces Headquarters and the NATO Force Integration Unit Estonia in Tallinn. In Tartu, he visited the Estonian Medical Academy’s War and Disaster Medicine Center and the Tartu University Clinic. Brigadier General Stephens discussed areas of cooperation related to the upcoming DEFENDER-Europe 20 exercise, and military medical engagements between the U.S. and Estonia.
On the occasion of his visit, Brigadier General Stephens noted, “Estonia is a valued NATO Ally and an essential defense partner. U.S. Army Europe and Estonia are working together to advance military medicine capabilities and interoperability between our countries. During my visit, I had the opportunity to see the great work being done at the War and Disaster Medicine Center in Tartu, as well as the professional civilian medical support provided at the East Tallinn Central Hospital and Tartu University Clinic, which will help the Alliance as a whole. It is vital our countries’ militaries are connected – personally, professionally, technically and tactically – to create stronger, more capable forces. We are committed to continuing this great relationship and together we will remain resolute and transparent in our goals of deterring conflict and helping to ensure peace in Europe. We are excited to work with our Estonian partners during the upcoming exercise DEFENDER-Europe 20 where we’ll further enhance the readiness and interoperability of our armies.”
The U.S. has provided more than $100 million in overall security assistance to Estonia over the last several years, and conducts nearly 150 military-to-military engagements per year with over 60 of those taking place with U.S. personnel in Estonia.
