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.

West Command of Land Forces of GAF has a new commander. Today Deputy Chief of General Staff, Colonel Shalva Jabakhidze presented new Commander, Colonel Giorgi Matiashvili to the personnel of West Command in II Infantry Brigade in Senaki and wished him success in his future career.
“We will continue implementation of the reforms to strengthen combat readiness and military discipline defined under the Strategic Defense Review in order to successfully fulfill tasks set for West Command”, outlined Colonel Giorgi Matiashvili during the meeting with the personnel. The leadership of West Command pledged every support to the new commander in transformation process.
The post of West Commander was free up to January 10. High selection council selected Colonel Giorgi Matiashvili for this post.
Colonel Giorgi Matiashvili has been serving in the Georgian Armed Forces since 1998. After graduation of Joint Military Academy he started service as platoon commander of military operations preparation center. He worked on different posts in J-3 Operative Planning Department of General Staff in various times. Prior to appointment as West Commander, he was deputy of East Commander. He has taken military education in Canada and Germany as well.