Police and Border Guard Aviation Group
Estonia's government aviation unit supporting search and rescue, medical transport, border surveillance, and rapid-response operations.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The Police and Border Guard Aviation Group is an Estonian government aviation unit operated by the Police and Border Guard Board. It combines helicopter and fixed-wing capability for public-safety and border-management duties rather than functioning as a consumer-facing commercial brand. Its principal responsibilities include search and rescue, emergency medical transport, maritime and land-border surveillance, rapid response, and support for police and border-guard operations. The unit originated in the reorganization of Estonia's post-restoration border-security institutions. Preparatory work began in 1992 with the creation of a Border Guard Flight Department. The National Border Guard Squadron was formally established on 8 February 1993 and began operating from Tallinn Airport under commander Arvo Palumäe. Its first aircraft were two Let L-410 utility airplanes donated by Germany in 1992 and delivered in February 1993. During its first year, the aircraft also took part in HELCOM flights, reflecting the unit's early maritime-surveillance and environmental-monitoring role in the Baltic Sea. On 1 September 1994, the squadron became the Estonian National Aviation Group. The same year, it contributed to the rescue response following the sinking of the ferry MS Estonia. The disaster demonstrated the need for a stronger rotary-wing emergency capability, and a helicopter squadron was established soon afterward. German Air Rescue donated four former National People's Army Air Force Mil Mi-8 helicopters, with a fifth aircraft supplied for spare parts. The helicopters were formally handed over on 7 December 1995 and expanded the group's ability to conduct rescue, transport, and offshore missions. The unit's institutional placement and name changed several times as Estonia consolidated its police and border-security administration. It returned to the Estonian Border Guard in 1997 and was renamed the Border Guard Aviation Group. Allan Oksmann served as commander from 1999. Between 2007 and 2011, the group received AW139 utility helicopters, replacing its aging Mi-8 fleet. The AW139s provided a more modern platform for rescue, patrol, transport, and other multi-role missions. The group also represented Estonia in Frontex's Poseidon 2009 operation with a maritime-patrol aircraft. In 2010, the aviation group moved into the newly established Police and Border Guard Board structure, while remaining associated with the board's border-guard function. A base complex opened at Kuressaare Airport in 2013, with one AW139 stationed there to improve coverage of western Estonia and the surrounding maritime area. A 2014 restructuring placed the group under the board's Intelligence Management and Investigation Department, and in 2020 it was moved under the Border Guard Department. The group is best understood as a specialized public-service aviation capability. Its value lies in maintaining ready aircraft and trained crews for missions that require speed, range, aerial observation, medical evacuation, or access to locations that are difficult to reach by land. Its operations are primarily national, although its aircraft and personnel may support European border-management cooperation, including Frontex activities. Publicly available reference material identifies Kalmer Sütt as the unit's commander since at least 2012, but does not provide a current official leadership roster or detailed information on its present fleet composition.
History
The Police and Border Guard Aviation Group developed from Estonia's post-1991 effort to establish an independent border-guard aviation capability. Preparatory work started in 1992 with the Border Guard Flight Department. The National Border Guard Squadron was formally created on 8 February 1993 and operated from Tallinn Airport under Arvo Palumäe. Germany provided two Let L-410 aircraft, which were delivered in February 1993. They supported border and maritime tasks and participated in HELCOM flights during the unit's first year. The organization was renamed the Estonian National Aviation Group on 1 September 1994. It took part in the response to the MS Estonia disaster later that year. The emergency highlighted the importance of helicopter-based rescue capability, leading to the formation of a helicopter squadron. German Air Rescue donated four former National People's Army Air Force Mil Mi-8 helicopters, while a fifth airframe was provided for parts. The aircraft were officially handed over on 7 December 1995. The group returned to the Estonian Border Guard's control on 22 April 1997 and became the Border Guard Aviation Group. Allan Oksmann became commander in 1999. From 2007 to 2011, new AW139 utility helicopters entered service, replacing the older Mi-8 helicopters. In 2009, the group supported Frontex's Poseidon operation with a maritime-patrol aircraft. Estonia's institutional reform brought the group into the Police and Border Guard Board in 2010. The unit continued to support border protection, rescue, medical transport, and rapid-response work. A new board complex at Kuressaare Airport opened in 2013, including an AW139 detachment. In 2014, an internal restructuring placed the group under the Intelligence Management and Investigation Department. In 2020, responsibility moved again, this time to the Border Guard Department. The group's publicly described role remains that of a mixed helicopter and airplane unit providing aerial support for Estonian public safety and border-management authorities.
- 2020
Moved under the Border Guard Department
[1]The group was reassigned under the board's Border Guard Department.
- 2014
Placed under Intelligence Management and Investigation
[1]A Police and Border Guard Board restructuring transferred the group to the Intelligence Management and Investigation Department.
- 2013
Kuressaare Airport complex opened
[1]A new board complex opened at Kuressaare Airport, where an AW139 was stationed.
- 2010
Integrated into the Police and Border Guard Board
[1]The unit transferred to the newly established Police and Border Guard Board.
- 2009
Frontex Poseidon participation
[1]The group participated in Poseidon 2009 with a maritime-patrol aircraft.
- 2007
AW139 replacement program begins
[1]The group began receiving AW139 utility helicopters to replace its aging Mi-8 fleet.
- 1997
Returned to Border Guard control
[1]The unit was subordinated to the Estonian Border Guard again and renamed the Border Guard Aviation Group.
- 1995
Mi-8 helicopters handed over
[1]German Air Rescue officially transferred four former military Mi-8 helicopters to the developing helicopter squadron.
- 1994
Renamed Estonian National Aviation Group
[1]The squadron became the Estonian National Aviation Group on 1 September and participated in the MS Estonia rescue response.
- 1993
National Border Guard Squadron created
[1]The squadron was formally established on 8 February and began operations from Tallinn Airport with two Let L-410 aircraft.
Products and positioning
A specialized state aviation service positioned around rapid-response public safety, search and rescue, emergency transport, and border surveillance.
Fixed-wing utility aircraft · 1993
Let L-410
Two Let L-410 aircraft formed the group's initial fleet after being donated by Germany and delivered in February 1993. They supported early border, maritime, and HELCOM-related flights.
Utility helicopter · 1995
Mil Mi-8
Four former military Mi-8 helicopters donated through German Air Rescue established the group's early helicopter capability. They supported rescue, transport, and other multi-role operations before being replaced by newer helicopters.
Multi-role utility helicopter · 2007
AgustaWestland AW139
AW139 helicopters entered the fleet between 2007 and 2011 as replacements for the aging Mi-8s. The type has been associated with search and rescue, medical transport, border patrol, and rapid-response missions, including deployment at Kuressaare Airport.
Marketing campaigns
- 2009Frontex Poseidon 2009
European Union · Baltic and external-border operations
The aviation group contributed a maritime-patrol aircraft to Frontex's Poseidon 2009 operation, supporting coordinated European border-management activity.
Outcome. The source confirms participation but does not provide detailed operational results.
Brand decisions
2020
Transfer under the Border Guard DepartmentStrategyBackground
A restructuring of the Police and Border Guard Board altered the group's internal reporting line.
Action taken
The aviation group was moved under the Border Guard Department.
Aftermath
The group's organizational alignment returned more directly to border-guard operations.
2010
Integration into the Police and Border Guard BoardStrategyBackground
Estonia created the Police and Border Guard Board as part of an institutional consolidation of police and border-security functions.
Action taken
The aviation group was transferred into the new board structure.
Aftermath
The unit continued aviation support for both policing and border-guard responsibilities.
2007
Replacement of Mi-8 helicopters with AW139sGeneration changeBackground
The group's Mi-8 helicopters were aging and required replacement with a newer multi-role platform.
Action taken
AW139 utility helicopters were introduced between 2007 and 2011.
Aftermath
The fleet gained a more modern helicopter platform for rescue, transport, patrol, and rapid-response duties.
1994
Creation of a dedicated helicopter capabilityStrategyBackground
The unit's participation in the MS Estonia rescue response demonstrated the need for a stronger helicopter-based search-and-rescue capability.
Action taken
A helicopter squadron was established, later receiving Mi-8 helicopters donated through German Air Rescue.
Aftermath
The group became a mixed fixed-wing and rotary-wing aviation service.
Recent events
- 2020
Aviation group moved under the Border Guard Department[1]
Other
A further organizational restructuring transferred the aviation group under the Police and Border Guard Board's Border Guard Department.
- 2013
Kuressaare Airport base complex opens[1]
Other
A new Police and Border Guard Board complex opened at Kuressaare Airport, with an AW139 helicopter stationed there.
- 2010
Transfer to the Police and Border Guard Board[1]
Other
The aviation group was transferred into the newly established Police and Border Guard Board structure.
- 2009
Participation in Frontex Poseidon 2009[1]
Other
The aviation group took part in the Frontex Poseidon 2009 mission with a maritime-patrol aircraft.
- 2007
AW139 helicopters replace aging Mi-8 fleet[1]
Product generation
The group began receiving AW139 utility helicopters during a replacement program that continued through 2011.
- 1994
Aviation group contributes to MS Estonia rescue response[1]
Other
The unit participated in rescue efforts following the MS Estonia disaster, an event that accelerated the development of an Estonian helicopter capability.
- 1993
National Border Guard Squadron formally established[1]
Other
Estonia formally established the National Border Guard Squadron on 8 February, operating from Tallinn Airport with two German-donated Let L-410 aircraft.
Sources1 sources
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