Photos

Estonian Delegation Visits U.S.S. Enterprise on December 3, 2007

(From left) Estonian Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo, Ambassador Dave Phillips and President Toomas Hendrik Ilves.


Ambassador Phillips sitting in the Admiral's chair on U.S.S. Enterprise.


Rear Admiral Daniel P. Holloway, Captain Ronald Horton, and Ambassador Phillips on board U.S.S. Enterprise.


Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves (center), Ambassador Phillips (right), and C-20 (Gulfstream IV) crew.


The U.S.S. Enterprise at sea.



On December 3, an Estonian delegation including President Toomas-Hendrik Ilves, Speaker of Parliament Ene Ergma, Minister of Defense Jaak Aaviksoo, and high-ranking civilian and military officials visited the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Enterprise as it cruised in the Mediterranean. The delegation was joined by members of the Estonian press and was escorted by Ambassador Phillips and other Embassy officials. The group flew from Estonia to Sicily, where they transferred to a U.S. Navy C-2A Greyhound for the trip to the carrier, which included an arrested landing.

The group was greeted on board by Rear Admiral Daniel P. Holloway (Carrier Strike Group Twelve), Vice Admiral Sandy Winnefeld (Sixth Fleet Commander), Captain Ronald Horton (U.S.S. Enterprise Commanding Officer), and other officers. The delegation toured the ship and observed flight operations from the flight deck. President Ilves thanked the U.S. Navy for the opportunity to visit the ship, reinforcing U.S.-Estonian military cooperation in advance of Parliament's decision to extend the Estonian military's missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Captain Horton noted Estonia's active role in the missions in Afghanistan and Iraq and complemented the efforts of Estonian soldiers on foreign missions. The group's return trip included a catapult shot from the flight deck of the Enterprise.


Read more about the U.S.S. Enterprise on their website.