Training course “Agile Spirit 2014”
Thursday, June 19
The Georgian-U.S. military exercise “Agile Spirit 2013” was held at the Vaziani firing-range.
The Georgian and American military units conducted a combined operation including patrolling, search and cordon and “Shura”. In the final part of the model training a wounded soldier was evacuated. An exercise was performed according to the ISAF operational tactic.
The leadership of the exercise delivered a special presentation to the guests. Defence Minister of Georgia Irakli Alasania rewarded five U.S. Marines with service medals “General Kvinitadze” for their contribution in planning and executing the training course.
“During the joint exercise, I’d like to underline two directions. This is the first Georgia-U.S. exercise on the brigade level. Georgian staff officers and U.S. Marines held a joint military operation on a brigade level. It’s very essential. Approximately 350 U.S. Marines are participating in the training course. During the exercise Georgia’s military enhance interoperability and master the planning of the combat operations. Secondly, the military carried out patrolling, cleansing and repelling attack on a tactical-operative level. I hope intensive training with U.S. and other NATO member countries will deepen in the future,” stated Defence Minister Irakli Alasania.
State Minister of Georgia on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Alex Petriashvili, U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Richard Norland and members of the Georgian Government attended the demonstrative training. Defence attaches accredited to Georgia and the representatives of the “Union of Friends of the Army” were at Vaziani firing-range as well. Commanding General of the 2nd Marine Division Brigadier General James Lukeman was among the distinguished guests.
The Georgia-U.S. joint exercise “Agile Spirit 2014” started on June 9.
