Georgia has first unit certified by NATO
By Messenger Staff
Wednesday, May 25
A unit of the Georgian Armed Forces (GAF) has been invited to integrate into NATO’s Response Force (NRF) after successfully carrying out intensive simulated exercises on a mock battlefield.
Alpha Company of the 12th Light Infantry Battalion of the IV Mechanized Brigade of the Georgian Armed Forces became “fully interoperable” with NATO, and over the next three years, in case of necessity, the military unit will be integrated with the NATO Response Force.
First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the GAF, Colonel Omar Begoidze, National Evaluation Team Commander LTC Vakhtang Kartsivadze and Chief of NATO Monitors` Team, signed the relevant document on the successful accomplishment of NEL-2 on May 23.
“The company of the GAF was officially nominated for the engagement in the NATO RS. Since 2015, this military unit has participated practically in all the different events of the NATO RS, such as international missions. The formal side of certification has finished.
“This company underwent several levels of both internal and NATO evaluations. The company is in operational readiness to take part in any NATO-led operation in the framework of RS if NATO considers it necessary,” said Colonel Begoidze.
Alpha Company held the final demonstrative exercise at the Vaziani firing ground.
Minister of Defence Tinatin Khidasheli and Chief of the GS Major General Vaktang Kapanadze observed the exercise.
NATO officers from different countries monitored of the exercise; Alpha Company's chief task was a simulated offensive operation.
They used infantry combat vehicles and different kinds of armament when carrying out the attack against the enemy. Evacuation of the wounded was provided by a Georgian-made medical vehicle, dubbed the 'Didgori'.
