MIDDLE RIVER, Md. – The Maryland National Guard recently partnered with Estonia’s Cyber Command to host Baltic Blitz 25, a cybersecurity exchange event, at Warfield Air National Guard Base at Martin State Airport.
About 20 Airmen from the 175th Cyberspace Operations Group, two Maryland Army National Guard Soldiers from Cyber Protection Team 169, two FBI analysts and four members of the Estonian Defence Force participated in the exchange held Sept. 22-26.
Members of the Estonian Defence Forces led the exchange by conducting workshops throughout the week. They focused on tactics and capabilities related to critical thinking as well as information collection and management. Attendees also had the opportunity to work in teams on a simulated problem and present their findings in the classroom.
The Maryland National Guard and Estonia have been partners through the Department of War National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program, or SPP, since 1993.
“Working alongside a NATO partner, like Estonia, is really important right now,” said Maryland Air National Guard Maj. Wesley Smith, a cyber operations officer for the 276th Cyber Operations Squadron and officer-in-charge for the SPP exchange. “Anything that we, as U.S. forces, can do to help bolster that NATO partnership and with our partner Estonia is a great thing, allowing us to learn from them as well.”
Throughout the past three decades, this collaboration through the State Partnership Program has grown by actively focusing on cyber defense, air operations, disaster response and joint training.
“The Airmen have been extremely excited and attentive,” said Estonian Defence Forces Lt. Col. Urmet Tomp, commander of the Cyber and Information Operations Center of Estonian Cyber Command. “It's a wonderful experience to see how they do things here and have this great experience to talk with Airmen and teach them, giving new ideas.”
Attendees could share best cyber practices, train side-by-side and strengthen relationships among participating agencies and partners.
“Our Estonian partners shared with us about their country, as well as who they are individually,” said Maryland Air National Guard Senior Airman Sophia Dominguez, source intelligence analyst for the 275th Operations Support Squadron. “While we’ve exchanged techniques and information, we’ve had the opportunity to share culture as well.”
Last year, three members of the Estonian Defence Forces also participated in Baltic Blitz with the Airmen at Warfield Air National Guard Base. In September 2023, members of the Maryland Air National Guard visited Ämari Air Base in Estonia and led workshops and training.
“One of the reasons I joined was for the potential to do foreign travel, go abroad or meet new people and learn about new cultures,” said Maryland Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Zachary Litten, cyber intelligence analyst for the 135th Intelligence Squadron. “Meeting with members of the Estonian Defence Forces has been wonderful because I enjoy understanding their perspective, and how they bring forth a vastly different experience than my own regarding their country’s history.”
Guardsmen expressed hope for continued participation in Baltic Blitz for many years to come, with the potential to expand to other National Guard units and NATO countries.
“Our Estonian partners have done a great job, including demonstrations and having troops work together to create a final result and ultimately a sense of accomplishment,” Smith said. “We get incredible feedback, and become more informed when we prepare to host future trips in which the roles are reversed.”