Today at the Ministry of Defence, Permanent Secretary of the Estonian Ministry of Defence Kusti Salm presented mission medals to 105 servicemen who participated in foreign missions last year.
“Estonia is extremely proud and grateful for your exemplary service. Estonia, NATO and our European Union allies, including France and the USA, value your commitment and professional skills very highly,“ said Permanent Secretary Kusti Salm, adding that we are cooperating with our allies and together we are helping countries that have major security concerns.
“In doing so we are also helping ourselves, since this action is aimed at strengthening our common security,“ confirmed Permanent Secretary.
Permanent Secretary Kusti Salm added that solidarity between allies requires much more than political statements. “Practical military cooperation, which I would call being brother-in-arms, is decisive, and your role in this cooperation is significant and commendable,“ said Salm.
The Permanent Secretary also thanked the family members of the servicemen for providing support and awaiting their return home.
Most of the medal recipients took part in Operation Barkhane, Mali. Servicemen who participated in the European Union training mission EUTM and the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSMA in Mali were also among the medal recipients.
The medals were presented to servicemen who participated in the UN peacekeeping mission UNIFIL in Lebanon, inherent resolve in Iraq, and the European Union mission EUNAVFOR Med, operating in the Mediterranean.
In addition, the 54 servicemen who have participated in several military missions received a medal with a ribbon brooch, on which the number of missions in which they have participated is marked.
Photos https://pildid.mil.ee/index.php?/category/60969
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