Georgian and U.S. soldiers participated in a live fire exercise
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.
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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
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International multinational military exercise Agile Spirit marks its jubilee
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.
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Georgian coast guard completed the final maritime training of the multinational exercise sea breeze 2021. This is reported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.During the last stage, the vessels of the participating countries took part in the joint maritime training held in the Ukrainian waters. The MIA Border Police Coast Guard Department ships DIOSKURIA and OCHAMCHIRE crews, along with NATO and partner countries’ naval units, carried out search-and-rescue operations, naval shootings and tactical manoeuvres. The exercises aimed to share knowledge and experience, enhance interoperability and increase joint capabilities.Co-organised by the U.S. Sixth Fleet and the Ukrainian Navy, the Sea Breeze exercise lasted for ten days in the Black Sea. Sea Breeze 2021 had the largest number of participating nations in the exercise’s history, with 32 countries from six continents providing 5,000 troops, 32 ships, 40 aircraft, and 18 special operations and dive teams.Representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the Ministry of Defence of Georgia took part in the sea, land and HQ components of the exercise. Each element was planned and executed in full compliance with NATO standards and procedures.
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The Government of the Republic of Turkey handed over various kinds of special equipment to the Defense Forces of Georgia on purpose to develop material and technical capabilities of Marneuli Airdrome.
The equipment was transferred within the framework of the “Agreement on Cooperation in the Military Finance Sphere” signed between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government of Georgia. The official handover ceremony of the new transport and supporting aerodrome means was held at the base of the Joint Aviation Squadron in Marneuli.
Defense Minister of Georgia Juansher Burchuladze, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey to Georgia, H.E Fatma Ceren Yazgan, Deputy Chief of Georgian Defense Forces, Brigadier General Irakli Chichinadze, Commander of Aviation and Air Defense Command, Colonel Sergo Ninua, Defense Attaché of the Republic of Turkey to Georgia and the representatives from the Embassy attended the event.
From the Georgian side - Commander of Aviation and Air Defense Command, Colonel Sergo Ninua and from the Turkish side – Defense Attaché, Colonel Burak Altiner signed the handover and acceptance act of the special equipment within the ceremony.
Georgia and Turkey have been cooperating in the various directions in defense sphere closely and successfully for many years.
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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.
