US State Department expert says Georgians can be assigned any mission, including direct combat
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Tuesday, February 16
A blog released on the official webpage of the United States State Department reads that Georgian soldiers “can be assigned any mission, including direct combat,” indicating the high level of military readiness of Georgian servicemen.
The author of the piece, Rennie Silva, a security assistance program analyst in the Office of Security Assistance within the Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, said Georgians have always shown eagerness to maintain international peace.
In this context the analyst spoke about the necessity of US support to Georgia and its wounded soldiers.
“Whenever the US has asked nations to contribute to international security, Georgia has answered the call. Whether in Afghanistan or Iraq, this small country at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia has stepped up to support global security,” Silva wrote.
Silva emphasised Georgia’s commitment to international peacekeeping missions and stressed that 31 Georgians have lost their lives in Afghanistan, with a further 282 wounded in action.
The expert highlighted that since 1998, Georgia has received a total of over $220 million USD in Foreign Military Financing (FMF), and the Department of State has specifically used FMF funding to provide equipment, training, and advisory support to strengthen Georgia’s ability to care for its wounded warriors.
The author added that American efforts to help Georgia build institutions to care for those injured in the line of duty reflected the two countries’ continuing commitment to solidarity on and off the battlefield.
