Pistol shoot-out in the desert: 9mm shooting contest between Estonian and British troops
An impromptu contest between two soldiers on a firing range in Northern Iraq has underlined the "effortless manner" in which the key European allies can integrate and operate together.
The activity took place at a location near Erbil, where, alongside dozens of other nations, the UK and Estonia contribute to Operation Inherent Resolve – the international mission aimed at the total defeat of the so-called Islamic State (IS), also known as Daesh.
But behind the apparent "effortlessness" of the UK-Estonian relationship lies a deeper story, one that traces its source to a partnership fighting wars for more than a century.
"The Brits and Estonians have been working tightly together for a long time," said Major Allar Olesk, the officer commanding the Estonian Force Protection unit currently based in Erbil.
He continued: "Actually if you go back as far as the First World War, the British contributed and supported Estonia in the Estonian Independence War.
"And when Estonia regained its independence, the British trained our military and helped our forces get on its feet."
Now, in Iraq, as the two militaries work side-by-side, opportunities to engage and collaborate, not just in operational terms, present renewed chances to further the defence understanding that exists between the two nations.
One such moment came during a co-UK-Estonian range day, held on the outskirts of the busy city of Erbil.
Even amid operations, soldiers are required to participate in in-theatre small arms training activities which allow for the zeroing of weapon systems, and the pursuit of marksmanship excellence.
But that does not mean there is no scope for a little bit of fun, too. And that is precisely how the unplanned shoot-out competition between the two soldiers came about.
Maj Olesk explained to Forces News the circumstances behind the event.
"Today we are doing some cooperation with the British troops. We've set up a range day shooting live ammunition.
"But we have additionally organised a single soldier shoot-out, nothing very complicated but it just gives us the ability to get to know each other a little better, introduce different weaponry, and maybe discuss daily operations in a more friendly environment.”
Representing the British Army fell on the shoulders of Sergeant Dunbar, a member of Burma Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Yorkshire Regiment.
His weapon in the contest was his sidearm, worn on the body constantly while on duty in Iraq, a standard issue Glock 17 9-millimetre pistol.
And representing the pride of the Estonian Defence Force, Sergeant Karl-Eerik Nemvalts. His weapon in the shoot-out was, like his counterpart, a standard issue sidearm within the EDF, the Heckler and Kock USP 9-millimetre.
Each soldier was provided with eight rounds and challenged to score as many hits as possible inside the centre circle of a target, at a distance of 15 metres.
Maj Olesk provided a commentary to Forces News as the contest unfolded, remarking that he and many of his men in Iraq had previously served on operations alongside another British regiment, the Welsh Guards:
"Myself, I've been in Afghanistan before, specifically Kabul. I was part of the Welsh Guards Battlegroup, working as a platoon commander.
"Every day we went out with the Welsh Guards and did tasks with them on the ground. Before that, I actually went to Brecon to do some pre-deployment training. It was typically Welsh weather, rainy and damp, but it was okay. The soldiers liked it."
First on the firing point was Sergeant Nemvalts. After a quick handshake between the two men, and on command of the range safety officer, a Lieutenant from 1 Yorks, the Estonian infantryman fired off his eight rounds in quick succession.
Once the unload was given and it was safe to do so, an entourage of soldiers from both militaries rushed forward to the target to see how the sergeant had performed.
The magic number was three out of eight, meaning three of the Estonian soldier's rounds had hit the target, within the centre circle.
Sergeant Nemvalts looked nervous.
Next up was Sergeant Dunbar.
Once the commands to load, make-ready, and open fire were issued – all in accordance with standard range safety regulations - the British senior NCO could be seen taking a deep breath before bringing his pistol’s sight to his eye.
Then, as before, the eight rounds were fired in a relatively quick manner.
But how did Sergeant Dunbar’s efforts with his Glock compare to Sergeant Nemvalts?
Out of a possible eight rounds, sadly for the British, Sergeant Dunbar scored two within the perimeter of the centre circle. This meant, the Estonian Defence Forces were crowned the winner.
The event wrapped up with a handshake between the two men and a presentation from Sergeant Dunbar, who was magnanimous in defeat, of a Burma Company flash to his victorious opposite in the Estonian Defence Force.
It was time to return to operations.
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