The partnership began in 2023, with U.S. troops working alongside the EDF to introduce the system. This cooperation culminated in July 2025 when Estonian forces completed their first live-fire tests and crew certifications.
“The training and the skills you have passed on to your Estonian colleagues, the knowledge you have passed on is invaluable, and thanks to you, the Eastern flank is much stronger and remains so in the future,” said Helmuth Martin Reisner, Director of the International Cooperation Department at Estonia’s Ministry of Defence. “Your presence here will continue to be felt for years to come.”
Capt. Richard Hiler, battery commander, explained, “The battery’s focus while we were out here was to assist the Estonians as they purchased their HIMARS and started to become fully operationally capable here.” He described HIMARS as a “high-mobility, artillery rocket system, which is a long-range precision fires field artillery system, capable of firing guided and unguided munitions.”
Hiler noted that the U.S. Soldiers served in an advisory role. “Our mission served as more of an officer-in-charge package, to help them fight better in the field,” he said. He added, “Honestly, being able to work with multinational countries, it is nothing short of a privilege. I mean, we are out here, we get to do the job that we love doing.”
The mission also developed U.S. Soldiers’ skills. “Being able to see both the NCOs and officers grow in a coaching and mentoring side has been really, really something special,” Hiler said. “By teaching others, they became more proficient operators themselves.”
Col. Frank Maxwell, commander of the 41st Field Artillery Brigade, underlined the continuity of the partnership. “There will be no gap between U.S. Forces,” he said. “The only difference is you’ll see some different vehicles in the parking lot.”
He praised the Estonian land forces’ progress. “Already qualified, demonstrating their readiness, willingness, and commitment to being the best organization out there,” Maxwell stated. “We built a relationship together. We know each other. We know how we operate. We know how to be interoperable together against our common enemies.”
Looking ahead, Maxwell confirmed, “The Soldiers of Task Force Voit will soon re-deploy to Lithuania, where they will reflag as Task Force ZXC and begin a new mission set with another key NATO ally. In their place, U.S. tanks and cavalry will arrive here in Tapa. Their presence ensures continuity of the U.S. posture and introduces new capabilities to reinforce the deterrence line in the Baltic region.”
Summarising the deployment, Maxwell emphasised the long-term impact of TF Voit’s mission. “Today proves that when we train together and invest together and trust each other, we get stronger together,” he said.
