Estonian Ministry of Defence
On January 12, 2012 Permanent Secretary of Defence of the Estonian Ministry of Defence Mikk Marran bestowed the third class of the Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence on U.S. Naval Attaché Commander Kip Henderson, who is leaving office, for promoting Estonian and U.S. defence co-operation.

According to Permanent Secretary Marran, the U.S. has made an invaluable contribution to the development of the Estonian Defence Forces, and Commander Henderson has effectively supported that co-operation over the last three years.

“Commander Henderson has helped to organise several large-scale international training exercises, high-level visits and more than ten visits by U.S. warships. This has led to a strengthening of Estonia’s relations and co-operation with our strategic partner, the United States,” said the Permanent Secretary of Defence of the Estonian Ministry of Defence.

Today, Marran also met with the new Naval Attaché, Commander Ronald Rios, to discuss the future of Estonian and U.S. defence co-operation.

Commander Henderson has served in Tallinn as Defence and Naval Attaché since November 2008 and as Naval Attaché since June 2010.

The Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence was established on 24 February 1998. Coming in three classes, the Cross of Merit is meant to be awarded to persons in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the national defence of the Republic of Estonia and in the construction and securing of national defence.

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