NATO MUltimedia

US paratroopers conducted a night-time parachute jump into Estonia as well as a helicopter assault exercise.

US paratroopers kicked off the US-led exercise Swift Response 2021 with a night-time parachute jump into Estonia in the early hours of 8 May.

The drop involved hundreds of troops assigned to the US Army 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne. The training was part of the US-led exercise Swift Response, which includes paratroopers from 10 other NATO countries, conducting jumps into Bulgaria and Romania as well.

In Estonia, other elements of the exercise included a helicopter assault and a live-fire Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) demonstration by the 77th Field Artillery Regiment.

All paratroopers were vaccinated against COVID-19 before arrival.

Footage includes various shots of the helicopter assault exercise, the night-time parachute drop and the MLRS demonstration.

1. (00:00) VARIOUS SHOTS – US ARMY PARATROOPERS FROM 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION JUMP FROM C-17 AND C-130 AIRCRAFT AT NIGHT INTO ESTONIA
2. (00:29) VARIOUS SHOTS – US CHINOOK HELICOPTERS ARRIVE IN ESTONIA AND PRACTISE HEAVY-LIFT CAPABILITIES
3. (01:37) VARIOUS SHOTS – US PARATROOPERS FROM 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION DEPLOYED TO ESTONIA AS PART OF EXERCISE SWIFT RESPONSE WAIT TO CONDUCT HELICOPTER ASSAULT EXERCISE
4. (02:03) VARIOUS SHOTS – US PARATROOPERS BOARD CHINOOK HELICOPTER TO CONDUCT HELICOPTER ASSAULT EXERCISE
5. (02:26) VARIOUS SHOTS – US PARATROOPERS ON BOARD CHINOOK HELICOPTER
6. (02:39) VARIOUS SHOTS – CHINOOK HELICOPTER SEEN FROM THE BACK OF AN ACCOMPANYING CHINOOK
7. (02:49) CLOSE-UP SHOT – US PARATROOPERS DISEMBARK FROM HELICOPTERS TO CONDUCT ASSAULT EXERCISE
8. (02:54) VARIOUS SHOTS – BLACK HAWK HELICOPTERS AND CREW TAKING PART IN HELICOPTER ASSAULT EXERCISE
9. (03:21) WIDE SHOT – CHINOOK HELICOPTER FLIES OVERHEAD
10. (03:28) VARIOUS SHOTS – CHINOOK HELICOPTERS AND PARATROOPERS FROM 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION IN A FIELD IN ESTONIA AT SUNSET
11. (04:24) VARIOUS SHOTS – US SOLDIERS FROM 77TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT, 41ST FIELD BRIGADE LOAD MULTIPLE LAUNCH ROCKET SYSTEM (MLRS) ROCKETS INTO HEAVY EXPANDED MOBILITY TACTICAL TRUCK DURING LIVE FIRE EXERCISE IN ESTONIA
12. (05:02) VARIOUS SHOTS – US SOLDIERS FROM 77TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT LAUNCH ROCKETS DURING TRAINING EXERCISE IN ESTONIA
13. (06:20) VARIOUS SHOTS – US SOLDIERS FROM 77TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT RETURN AT SUNSET AFTER FIRING ROCKETS DURING EXERCISE
14. (06:35) SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) – GENERAL CHRISTOPHER G. CAVOLI, COMMANDING GENERAL OF UNITED STATES ARMY EUROPE AND AFRICA

“This is about the United States’ contribution to our Alliance, it’s about the United States’ commitment to our Alliance and it’s about the United States’ practical ability to reinforce our Allies in a time of crisis or in a time of need so that we can together generate the capabilities that deter any potential adversaries, and above all, keep the peace.”

1. (06:56) SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) – LIEUTENANT COLONEL ANTHONY BRUNNER, BATTALION COMMANDER, 1ST BATTALION, 77TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT

“Today we’re executing a live fire with MLRS rockets and so exercising our ability to deliver long-range precision shot fires, collectively with our NATO partners so we have the British along with us today so it’s a true multinational live fire exercise.”

1. (07:13) SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) – LIEUTENANT COLONEL ANTHONY BRUNNER, BATTALION COMMANDER, 1ST BATTALION, 77TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT

“So to quickly build readiness to deploy up here, to have the soldiers get the opportunity to experience a collective live fire together with NATO partners, it’s just amazing and so just a great opportunity and we’re proud to be a part of it.”

1. (07:26) SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) – MAJOR GENERAL CHRISTOPHER DONAHUE, COMMANDER OF THE 82ND AIRBORNE

“First and foremost, this exercise is all about the Alliance and the most successful treaty organisation, I would argue, the United States has been part of. So this is about continuing to improve the Alliance, continuing to improve our capability to be even more capable.”

1. (07:43) SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) – MAJOR GENERAL CHRISTOPHER DONAHUE, COMMANDER OF THE 82ND AIRBORNE

“Going back to when NATO was formed, rapid deployment is probably the key thing to make sure that we can deter any potential adversary and also ensure that we can protect and defend each other in the Alliance.”

1. (07:56) SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) – MAJOR GENERAL CHRISTOPHER DONAHUE, COMMANDER OF THE 82ND AIRBORNE

“We have to demonstrate that we can continue to operate through this pandemic, that’s probably the most important thing. The other thing is that we can show all of our allies that we can safely do this. Every paratrooper that came here is vaccinated and we can operate in this environment. But all – not the NATO members – but everyone throughout the world should know that the Unites States and NATO can go anywhere and safely protect any ally or partner that we need to work with.”

1. (08:29) SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) – MAJOR GENERAL CHRISTOPHER DONAHUE, COMMANDER OF THE 82ND AIRBORNE

“I would argue that the transatlantic bond, there is none that are more important, and there is none that has lasted as long and is as strong and as deep.”
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