The Marine Detachment at U.S. Embassy Tallinn got to play Santa Claus on December 18.

They delivered gifts to the kids at Haiba Orphanage as part of the Toys for Tots Program.

Marine Isaac said, "The kids were charming and happy, and it was a real joy spreading holiday cheer to them."

Photo and text by U.S. Embassy Tallinn Facebook page

The United States has pledged 25 million dollars  in its 2015 defense budget for upgrading Ämari's infrastructure.

The Estonian Ministry of Defense told Postimees the money will go into infrastructure at Ämari, while Latvian and Lithuanian air bases will also receive a boost of 8 million and 11 million euros, respectively.

The fund is part of a initiative to back NATO's easternmost allies. The initiative is worth 985 million dollars (800 million euros) with at least 175 million dollars (140 million euros) diverted for programs which support the Baltic nations and Ukraine.

Last week US announced it will donate two small transport aircraft to the Estonian Air Force, which will swap out Soviet-era An-2s.

Meanwhile, the first Spanish fighter jets arrived at Ämari. Spain will take over the NATO Air Policing mission from January 1.