Kalev Infantry Battalion

Kalev Infantry Battalion Kalevi jalaväepataljon
Shoulder sleeve insignia
Active	1918–1940 1992–2002 2009–present
Country	Estonia
Branch	Estonian Land Forces
Type	Mechanized infantry
Size	Battalion
Part of	1st Infantry Brigade
Garrison/HQ	Paldiski
Anniversaries	20 December 1918
Engagements	Estonian War of Independence Latvian War of Independence
Commanders
Current commander	Lieutenant Colonel Hannes Alesmaa
Notable commanders	Otto Tief
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia

The Kalev Infantry Battalion (Estonian language: Kalevi jalaväepataljon ) is a battalion of the Estonian Land Forces. It is a part of the 1st Infantry Brigade and its primary task is to train conscription-based mechanized infantry maneuver and support units. The battalion has been previously known as the Kalevlaste Maleva and as the Kalev Single Infantry Battalion. The battalion is currently based at Paldiski and is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Hannes Alesmaa.

History

1918–1940

Formed as Kalevlaste Maleva in the beginning of the Estonian War of Independence on 20 December 1918, the battalion was named after the multi-sport club Kalev, whose members founded the unit. The battalion fought in the Estonian War of Independence on the Eastern front against Soviet Russia and in Latvia against the Baltische Landeswehr. In 1920 Kalevlaste Maleva was moved to Võru, where it stayed until the end of the war.

After the war Kalevlaste Maleva continued to operate training conscripts and guarding the border. On 1 July 1922 Kalevlaste Maleva was officially renamed Kalev Battalion and added to the 10th Infantry Regiment (Estonian language: 10. jalaväepolk ). On 28 October 1928, after the 10th Infantry Regiment was disbanded the Kalev Battalion was renamed Kalev Single Infantry Battalion and stationed in Tallinn. After the Soviet occupation in 1940 the battalion was disbanded.

1992–present

Kalev Single Infantry Battalion was restored on 18 March 1992 and was initially based at Kose but moved to Jägala Army Base in the summer. The battalion was equipped with BTR-80 armoured personnel carriers, BRDM-2 armoured scout cars. In 2002 the battalion was disbanded as a part of the reforms in Estonian Defence Forces, majority of the troops and armoured vehicles were transferred to Scouts Battalion in Paldiski.

Kalev Infantry Battalion was restored again on 1 January 2009 as a part of the 1st Infantry Brigade in Paldiski. The battalion was equipped with Sisu XA-180 armoured personnel carriers and participates in training professional soldiers for international missions and conscripts for mechanized infantry reserve units.

Sisu XA-180 in Estonian service.

Current structure

Structure as of 7 August 2013:

• Battalion Headquarters
  • Infantry Company
  • Combat Support Company
  • Staff and Support Company

List of commanders

Career	Commander
1918–1919	Leopold Tõnson
1919–1920	Otto Tief
1920–1921	Oskar Luiga
1921–1925	Friedrich Karl Pinka
1925–1928	Anders Linquist
1928–1934	Jakob Vende
1934–1936	Johannes Uuskam
1936–1937	Olav Mullas
1937–1940	Vassili Külaots
1992–1993	Albert Helme
1993–1994	Alar Laneman
1994–1995	Hannes Toomsalu
1995–1996	Margus Lillemägi
1996–2000	Artur Tiganik
2000–2000	Sander Keskküla
2000–2001	Raul Tõnnov
2000–2000	Sander Keskküla
2000–2001	Raul Tõnnov
2009–2012	Margus Koplimägi
2012–	Hannes Alesmaa