TALLINN, Estonia (Oct. 16, 2019) – Estonian government here has decided to invite with a short notice additional 1,467 armed forces reservist to the training exercise Okas 2019 Oct. 16.
Members of the 23rd Infantry Battalion are required to go immediately to the mobilization depots that are specified in their orders. Today’s decision brings the number of reservists participating the exercise to approximately 2,200.
This is the first time two separate reserve units have been invited with a short notice to an additional training exercise on consecutive days.
The service members of the 61st Combat Service Support Battalion formed Oct. 15 will provide means for combat readiness for 23rd IB.
Okas 2019 is a readiness exercise with a purpose to test the chain of command from the decision of Estonian government to the formation of units with reservists. There is no immediate threat to Estonian security.
The mission of Estonian Defence Forces is to be ready for different scenarios, including those that are very unlikely to happen. EDF is ready to defend Estonia and is practicing it during exercises.
Estonian national security concept is based on reserve service that has proved itself to be efficient and viable deterrent measure. The reason for these kinds of peace time exercises is to maintain and improve rapid reaction capabilities.
EDF is inviting reservists regularly to different military training exercises with a longer 120-days-notice.
