US conducts Spring Storm exercise with East European allies, partners

The US has commenced a new military exercise with Estonia amid no sign of the Russian troop back off from its border with Ukraine.

The exercise marks the launch of first of three annual, multinational and bilateral exercises to be performed in the Baltic region.

Aimed at reassuring the region of Nato’s commitment, the exercise dubbed ‘Spring Storm’ by the Pentagon, involves 41 personnel.

Pentagon spokesman Army colonel Steve Warren said that the Exercise Spring Storm had begun and added that there has been no change in the Russian posture along the country’s border with Ukraine, despite declarations by President Vladimir Putin that Russian forces would move back from the area.

The exercise involves the US Special operations forces training with their Estonian counterparts.

Further, two more bilateral special operations drills including Flaming Sword and Namejs are scheduled to be held over the following two months.

The US special operations forces will also take part in several joint, combined exchange training events in five nations all over the Baltic republics and Eastern Europe during the upcoming exercises.

The training involves participation from eight countries including Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the US.

The exchanges would offer American special operators with experience in the language and culture of the region, while offering a chance to sharpen their tactical skills with NATO allies.

The US Navy’s Oliver Hazard-class destroyer USS Taylor has already visited the Georgian port of Batumi.

"While in Georgia, Taylor will conduct training with the Georgian coast guard," Warren added.