Opening Ceremony of the Georgia Defense Readiness Program (GDRP) at Vaziani Military Base
On February 5, 2021, Georgian Chief of Defense, Major General Giorgi Matiashvili presided over the opening ceremony of the Georgia Defense Readiness Program (GDRP) at Vaziani Training Area.
GDRP, a three-month training, and readiness program, which includes unit-level training and live-fire exercises, will prepare the Georgian 22nd Infantry Battalion to conduct wartime missions in defense of their nation and in support of multinational missions around the world.
Maj Gen Matiashvili was joined at the ceremony by command teams from Land Forces West, the 2nd Brigade, Georgia’s Training and Military Education Command, members of the United States’ Task Force Ascalon, and the US Office of Defense Cooperation. The Georgia Defense Readiness Program further highlights the deep and continuing relationship between Georgian Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Related items
-
Prime Minister I. Garibashvili meets with Ph. Reeker, Senior Adviser of the US Department of State for Caucasus Negotiations and the Geneva International Discussions
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili held a meeting with Philip Reeker, Senior Adviser of the US Department of State for Caucasus Negotiations and the Geneva International Discussions.
Irakli Garibashvili congratulated Philip Reeker on his appointment to a new position and wished him success in his future endeavors. According to the Prime Minister, Georgia is a reliable partner and loyal ally of the US in the region and beyond. Irakli Garibashvili and Philip Reeker discussed the war in Ukraine and the difficult regional and global security situation. The conversation also touched on the dire state of affairs in Georgia’s occupied territories. Irakli Garibashvili highlighted the critical importance of peaceful conflict resolution. In this context, the significance of the Geneva International Discussions was underlined.Philip Reeker reassured the Prime Minister of the strong support of the United States for Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.The conversation also revolved around the agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, achieved through Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s mediation and Philip Reeker’s engagement, as a result of which Azerbaijan released Armenian POWs, while Armenia handed over important maps to Azerbaijan.The issues discussed also included Georgia’s European integration. According to Irakli Garibashvili, the European Council, by granting the European perspective to Georgia, confirmed that Georgia’s future is in the EU, and that Georgia remains committed to its European path.The meeting at the Administration of the Government was attended by US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan and Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili.Press Service of the Government Administration -
The Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games officially commenced on Friday.
With incredible light shows and spectacular fireworks, delegations from 91 countries and regions gathered in Beijing to witness the Chinese capital becoming the first ever dual Olympic city in the world.
The opening ceremony, as the curtain raiser to the Games, won much praise from residents in many parts of the world.
Produced by Xinhua Global Service
-
November 10 is the day of the 5th Artillery Brigade
November 10 is the 29th anniversary of the founding of the 5th Artillery Brigade of the Georgian Defense Forces. The solemn event was held in Vaziani, on the territory of the Artillery Brigade. Brigadier General Roland Dzneladze, Commander of the Eastern Defense Forces of Georgia, congratulated the personnel gathered at the square. During the speech, he wished the artillerymen success and thanked them for their worthy service to the homeland. The event continued with an award ceremony. Today, the guests and the leaders of the brigade laid a wreath at the Heroes' Memorial and paid tribute to the memory of the heroes who died in the battles for the territorial integrity of Georgia.
The 5th Artillery Brigade has a long combat history. During the existence, the brigade has changed its name many times. In June 2018, a structural reorganization implemented, as a result of which the First Artillery Brigade was formed as the 5th Artillery Brigade of the Eastern Command.
MOD of Georgia
-
International multinational military exercise Agile Spirit marks its jubilee. It is the 10th time Georgia hosts Agile Spirit. This year the most large-scale multinational military exercise will be held from July 26 through August 6. This is reported by the administration of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia.
Agile Spirit 2021 aims to enhance interoperability among the forces of NATO member and partner countries, to improve and strengthen operational capabilities during planning and execution of operations in real time within multinational environment, to improve cooperation in multinational readiness and security sphere. Agile Spirit 2021 promotes regional stability and security, as well as strengthens capabilities of Alliance member and partner countries to react to regional crises and challenges more effectively. That’s why the main message of the Agile Spirit 2021 is - “Strength through Partnership”.
The 10th Agile Spirit 2021 is distinctive and larger scale rather than the previous exercises:
For the first time Georgian-made armored vehicles Didgori Meomari and Didgori MedEvac will participate in the international multinational exercise.
The number of the countries participating in the exercise is large – this year 15 NATO member and partner countries are involved in it, including: Georgia, USA, UK, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Latvia, Estonia, Germany, Azerbaijan, Spain, Canada, Italy and Lithuania. More than 2500 military of 15 countries will take part in Agile Spirit 2021.
The training theatre is also large-scale, which will be expanded to five locations – II Infantry Brigade in Senaki, Sorta/Eki training area, Orpolo rifle range, Vaziani rifle range and Vaziani military aerodrome.
For the first time in the history of multinational exercises conducted in Georgia, a combined airborne operation with the participation of military from Georgia, USA, UK, Poland and UK will be held within Agile Spirit 2021.
One more novelty within the 10th Agile Spirit is the direction of Special Operation Forces. For the first time in the history of multinational exercises conducted in Georgia, Special Operation Forces from Georgia, USA, UK, Romania and Poland will perform combined operations in renovated and modernized Sorta training area.
The multinational military training is complex and its scenario includes command, staff and field trainings with airborne operations and live fire, as well as with the engagement of maneuver and combat support elements in defensive and offensive operations.
-
On 11 February 2021 at Vaziani training area, Georgian and U.S. soldiers participated in a live-fire exercise, using recently delivered 100 MK19 grenade launchers and 200 M2 machine guns. These NATO-interoperable weapons, fielded in units from the platoon to battalion level, are part of a larger, $18M effort to outfit the Georgian Defense Forces with new weapon systems. This exercise reiterated the United States’ and Georgia’s strong partnership and cooperation on defense and security.
