ESTPLA-16 to resume service in Iraq
11.04.2008
BAGHDAD, Apr 11, BNS - Returning from a holiday at home, the Estonian infantry platoon ESTPLA-16 is once again starting to carry out its duties in its area of responsibility.
Estpla-16 left Estonia on March 31, but the unit only arrived at the Taji military base in the night before Friday. Capt. Piret Paju, an information officer serving at the international corps in Iraq, told BNS that the transport was upset due to the security sitution and weather conditions. Constant dust storms did not permit landings and the wait dragged out much longer than origanally planned.
"Acclimatization was not easy either going to Estonia or returning from there -- the temperature difference was often thirty degrees, said Sergeant First Class Anatoli Stus, the medic of the platoon.
On Monday the Estonian unit will once again man motor and foot patrols.
ESTPLA-16 operates since January 11 in its area of responsibility in the villages of Zaydan Jamili and Massara about four to five kilometers from the town of Sab al Bor.
Despite the present general security situation in Iraq, the Estonians' area of responsibility is relatively peaceful. "They have nothing to cause trouble with -- we have collected everything," a soldier said.
ESTPLA-16 has served in Iraq since last December. The platoon is mainly made up of soldiers reserved from the Kuperyanov Battalion. Estonia has taken part in the Iraqi Freedom operation since June 2003.
Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8814, sise@bns.ee
 
|
