JULY 2008 ISSUE #13

Combat Engineers’ Day Junior Officers’ Training

The Georgian Armed Forces
celebrated Combat Engineer’s
Day on July 23. A ceremony to
mark the 16th anniversary of their
profession in Georgia took place
in Osiauri Combat Engineers’
Training Base. The Deputy Chief
of JS GAF, LTC Alexander Ose-
paishvili, and the Commander of
Land Forces, LTC Mamuka Bal-
akhadze, congratulated the mili-
tary personnel on their profes-
sional day. The guests and the
Georgian Combat Engineers
held a minute of silence in hon-
or of the diseased Combat Engi-
neers. It is worth noting that on
July 15, the status of the ‘Land
Forces Separate Combat Engi-
neer ’s Battalion’ has been
amended to ‘Separate Brigade.’
After the ceremony, the Com-
bat Engineers showed their new
equipment to the guests, the most
remarkable of which were Ger-
man-made remote-controlled
automatic sappers that are able
to destroy light weight and anti-
tank mines while the personnel
stay safe and undamaged. Com-
bat Engineers’ modern arma-
ment was also presented to the
guests. This armament is special-
ly designed to ensure the best
safety possible for the soldiers.
Brigade Commander, LTC
David Asabashvili, said: “There
are new tasks for the brigade that
make us to come closer to NATO
standards. Our specialists are
mastering modern engineering
techniques; this increases the ef-
fectiveness of our brigade.”
Today, the brigade is ready to
perform numerous tasks, among
them: special reconnoitering ac-
at the Black Sea
tivities, setting up engineering
explosive and non-explosive ob-
stacles, laying down pontoon
bridges, cleaning up the roads,
fortification of regions, positions
and strategic facilities, also their
function is to provide chemical,
biological and nuclear reconnais-
sance information, define the
level of radiation, decontamina-
tion, disinfection and de-excita-
tion of battalion level units.
We want to wish good luck
to our Combat Engineers, and
congratulate them on their pro-
fessional day.
Malkhaz Topuria

Soldiers training to be junior
officers at the David the Builder
National Defense Academy have
entered the third and most sig-
nificant phase of their 14 week
course. The 35 trainees have al-
ready endured physical and psy-
chological hardship during the
first two phases but are deter-
mined to successfully complete
ments of patrolling in the city,
cleaning the building, setting up
defense positions, defense ac-
tion inside the building and in
the city in general, isolating the
building, setting up check-
points etc. It is pretty hard to
plan and execute operations in
built-up areas during wartime,
but that only motivates our
mate and terrain. For example,
in the near future, trainees and
instructors are to take part in
military exercises in Turkey,
which includes marching for 40
km carrying full equipment; a
difficult and enduring exercise
indeed.
The instructors of the junior
officers’ training course in Go-

Amendment to the Law on their course. This part of the jun-

ior officers’ training course is
taking place at the Gonio Range
at the Black Sea coast, near Ba-
“Approval of Number of the tumi.
The senior officer of the
training course, Captain Gocha
trainees more. In general, I think
that these last couple of weeks
have been really effective, ev-
nio will give the trainees detailed
knowledge about specialized on-
location warfare tactics and tech-
erything seems to have gone niques. After the exercises in
positively.”
This exercise in Gonio
Gonio are completed, the 35
trainees will move up the coast
marks a change in the military’s to Poti, where they will execute

Georgian Military Forces” Beradze, commented on the

course: “Today we plan to car-
ry out seaborne operation and
training procedure; the various
types of trainings are now situ-
ated in different locations, to
simulation training with the
Georgian Navy. The trainees are
expected to complete their
According to the amendment to the law on “Approval of the Number of Georgian Military Forces”
dated July 15, the number of military servicemen in the Georgian Military Forces has been increased by train them to neutralize the en- suit the specialized courses’ re- course in September this year.
5,000 servicemen. According to the law, the number of Georgian Armed Forces now amounts to 37,000 emy. This training contains ele- quirements with regard to cli- Mindia Arabuli
military servicemen.

INSIDE
International Large Homeless Children
Scale Exercise Spend the Day with
Immediate Vaziani Military
Response 2008 Brigade
Inerview with Georgian Navy Day
Brigadier General
William B. Garrett Turkish and Greek
MOD Officials Frigates in Batumi
visited Iraq Port
2 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
International Large-Scale Military
Exercise ‘Immediate Response 2008’
The International Training “Immedi-
ate Response 2008” conducted with the
joint efforts of the USA and Georgian
Armed Forces was held at Vaziani Mil-
itary Base on July 15-31. The mission
of the training was to improve combined
capabilities and strengthen regional co-
operation. The exercise involved the
conduction of a combined brigade-lev-
el CPX exercise with Georgian Armed
Forces to develop a common under-
standing of coalition staff planning pro-
cedures; combined live-fire FTX/STX
to train on tactics, techniques and pro-
cedures for the conduct of coalition se-
curity and stability operations and to
deploy the 21st TSC EECP and exercise
limited theater opening capabilities.
In total, 1,630 servicemen participat-
ed, including representatives of the Joint
Staff, Land Forces Staff, IV Brigade, the
41st and 42nd Battalions and Engineer
Battalion Company from Georgia. From
the USA, 1,000 military servicemen
took part in the exercise including the
United States Army Europe, 3rd Battal-
ion, 25th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 1st
Battalion 121 Infantry Regiment Geor-
gian National Guard (Atlanta, Georgia)
and 5045th General Support Unit. As
well as Georgian and American partici-
pants, 10 servicemen each from Azer-
baijan, Armenia and the Ukraine took
part.
The exercise consisted of two stag-
es. First of all, the practical and theoret-
ical parts of the CPX exercises, situa-
tional and field trainings were held. The
second stage comprised staff and com-
mand training. IV Brigade Staff partici-
pated in the first stage which underwent
the training with modern computer
equipment. Within the JKT Program, the
I Brigade by which it streamlined deci-
sion making process, took direct partic-
ipation in the planning process and elab-
orated the action plan. After approving
the plan, the operations were carried out
via computers.
Preparation for the military training
“Immediate Response” started in sum-
mer 2007. Since then, planning confer-
ences were held from time to time to
discuss and arrange all kinds of issues
concerning the exercises, including lo-
gistical and medical support and equip-
ment transportation. Georgia provided
90 percent of the logistical support for
the exercise with local resources, includ-
ing railway, customs clearance and se-
curity issues. In the framework of the
logistical support, Georgia also modern-
ized Vaziani Military Base as well. The
rest of the equipment - basic field gear,
tents, power generators, logistical vehi-
cles and two HH-60 Blackhawk medi-
cal evacuation helicopters - were
shipped from the United States, Germa-
ny and Italy.
The opening ceremony of Immedi-
ate Response 2008 was held at Vaziani
Military Base on July 15. The ceremo-
ny was opened accompanied with the
national anthems of five countries. The
Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff of the
Georgian Armed Forces LTC Alexander
Osepaishvili and SETAF Brigadier Gen-
eral William B. Garrett delivered
speeches. BG Garrett stated that he wel-
comed the exercise Immediate Response
2008 saying it was an honor and a priv-
ilege to be in Georgia. “Over the next
several weeks, we will live together,
work together and train together. This
is an invaluable opportunity to get to
know and understand one another, to
learn about different cultures and to
build enduring relationships between
professional militaries,” said the Briga-
dier General. He also expressed partic-
JULY 2008 ISSUE #13
ular gratitude towards the Georgian
Armed Forces for the strong support not
only for the exercise but also for con-
tinuing service with the American forc-
es, allies and partners.
The training scenario envisaged a
peacekeeping operation in Iraq. This
training helped the IV Brigade with its
preparations to be deployed in Iraq. The
US Marine Corps and the American
National Guard Company carried out the
field operations with the IV Brigade
Staff. The joint training took place on
Vaziani firing ground and Vaziani air-
port. Settlement models were arranged
on Vaziani airport where the soldiers
were trained how to battle within inhab-
ited areas. Their main purpose was to
create and implement a full range of
operational tasks; to set up check-points,
seize settled areas, convey information,
patrol, etc.
The scenario of the training was the
following: the situation was held within
a built-up, inhabited area. As the terror-
ists carried out sudden attack over the
inhabitants, the Georgian and American
militaries patrolled and evacuated and
rescued the citizens. If any of the inhab-
itants were wounded the soldiers admin-
istered medical assistance and transport-
ed them to the appropriate facilities.
After this the military servicemen im-
plemented the clearance operation from
the terrorists within the inhabited area.
On July 21, President Mikheil
Saakashvili, Minister of Defense David
Kezerashvili, the Chief of the Joint Staff
of GAF Brigadier General Zaza Goga-
va and the Deputy Chief of JS LTC Al-
exander Osepaishvili attended this train-
ing and became acquainted with the joint
Georgian-American training. At first,
they visited the tactical operations cen-
ter and command post of the US divi-
sion. Then they went to Vaziani Airport
to see the demonstrated training. After
the end of the demonstrated exercise, the
President of Georgia delivered a speech
to the Georgian military servicemen who
had participated in the training, saying:
“The main task of Georgian officers and
soldiers is training. This international
exercise is a unique case as we have the
possibility to hold trainings along with
the representatives of the best army in
the world for a month. I think that we
have created a new military school in
Georgia in recent years. Believe that
what all of you have learned now will
remain in our country and will be shared
with the future generations. That is why
we have to train theoretically and prac-
tically as this is a precondition of victo-
ry. The main thing is to get acquainted
with independent decision-making and
free thinking.”
On July 28, a demonstration day for
media representatives was held in the
framework of the international training
“Immediate Response”. The event was
attended by the Chief of Joint Staff of
GAF Brigadier General Zaza Gogava,
his deputies LTC Grigol Tatishvili and
LTC Alexander Osepaishvili and Head
of the US South European Forces Brig-
adier General William B. Garrett. The
event was opened by the Officer of J-3
Operational Planning Department of
Joint Forces Col. Erick Nantz who in-
troduced the training presentation. The
second stage of the exercise continued
at Vaziani Airdrome where Georgian
and American military servicemen car-
ried out demonstrative training for the
guests.
The scenario was set in one of the
small urban areas of Iraq.
Continued on p.3
JULY 2008 ISSUE #13
International Large-Scale
Military Exercise
‘Immediate Response 2008’
Continued from p.2
The main duty of the peacekeeping
forces was to seize the terrorist who was
hiding in one of the houses. The terror-
ist tried to escape when the coalition
forces appeared but the troops did their
best to detain him. After this, the pla-
toon performed a humanitarian opera-
tion and transferred wounded people to
hospital by military helicopters.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the USA H.E. John
Tefft also attended the exercise. After the
demonstrative training he outlined the
The SETAF Brigadier General Wil-
liam B. Garrett commanded the exer-
cise from American side. We asked him
for his thoughts and comments on Im-
mediate Response.
What is the primary aim of the ex-
ercise “Immediate Response 2008”?
What are the objectives of the exer-
cise?
We are conducting this exercise to
enhance interoperability with a key co-
alition partner. Georgia has provided
consistent support to ongoing operations
in Iraq. Georgia is the third largest force
contributor to Operation Iraqi Freedom
and that means a lot to the United States.
importance of the training, saying: “It
is in a spirit of Partnership for Peace,
part of the NATO program. It was very
rewarding for me to see the joint work
of soldiers from different countries. The
command post trainings also went suc-
cessfully. Ukrainian, Azeri, Armenian
and Georgian soldiers participated in the
exercise jointly. I believe that the exer-
cise fulfilled its main purpose.”
Immediate Response is an annual, bi-
lateral security cooperation exercise con-
ducted between US and coalition part-
ners. Approximately 1,600 military per-
What do you expect from “Imme-
diate Response 2008”?
The combined approach – active par-
ticipation from all the countries involved
– provided an invaluable opportunity to
learn about different cultures, and to pro-
mote understanding and cooperation
between our forces and strengthen our
partnerships for the future.
What benefits will this exercise
bring for the Georgian Armed Forc-
es?
The Georgian Armed Forces will
gain greater tactical proficiency as well
as improving their ability to work with
coalition partners. But the benefits
MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
3
MOD Officials
visited Iraq
sonnel consisting of US soldiers, airmen,
marines and army civilian employees;
and Georgian military personnel make up
Task Force Immediate Response 2008.
The training is designed to exercise com-
bined interoperability, conduct combined
arms live fire, conduct training on respon-
sive medical aid in a combat environment
and bilateral training with Georgian and
other multinational defense forces. This
is the first time that Immediate Response
is conducted in Georgia. Poland and Bul-
garia has commonly hosted this exercise
in years past.
BG Zaza Gogava and MG Michael Oates
On July 15, First Deputy Defence were 110,000 vehicles and 560,958
Minister Batu Kutelia and Chief of the people checked, and 1,500 Iraqi civil-
Joint Staff of Georgian Armed Forces, ians were provided with medical ser-
Brigadier General Zaza Gogava, went vices by the Georgian military doctors.
on an official visit to Iraq. They visited The Georgian troops actively partic-
the 1st Infantry Brigade stationed in ipate with their American counterparts
FOB Delta, Basra Base and Cop Cleary. in Civil-Military Co-operation
The Battalion commanders briefed the (CIMIC) where the military cooperates
MoD officials about operations and with civilian agencies and institutions
tasks provided by Georgian military in order to bring peace and stability and
contingent in Vassit Province. foster better relations. “We have a very
In the framework of this visit, Min- good relationship with the local inhab-
ister Batu Kutelia and BG Zaza Goga- itants,” said Captain Zaur Makaradze,
va met with the following multi-nation- CIMIC group commander, from the 1st
al forces: Iraq Commanding General, Infantry Brigade. On the question how
General David Petraeus, Multi-Nation- dangerous it is Captain Makharidze
al Corps- Iraq Deputy Commanding answered with smile “It’s quite danger-
General for the Coalition, Brigadier ous, but we are not afraid…We help
General Nicholas Matern and the 10th Iraqi people.”
Mountain CG, Major General Michael Deputy Defence Minister Batu Kute-
Oates. During the meetings with the lia commented on the visit: “We have
multi-national forces, the commanders discussed the success of Georgian Mili-
gained from this exercise are not limit- evaluated the Georgian peacekeeping tary in Iraq and General Petraeus evalu-
ed to Georgian Soldiers. American, Ar- mission very positively. ates our mission very highly. He thanked
menian, Azeri and Ukrainian service Currently in Iraq, the Georgian mil- us for our decision to continue our con-
members all benefited from this exer- itary contingent is represented by the tingent here in Iraq until the end of year.”
cise. I might also point out that the Geor- 1st Infantry Brigade that rotated with the According to BG Gogava: “Gener-
gian 4th Infantry Brigade is scheduled 3rd Infantry Brigade in January 2008. al Petraeus estimated very positively
to deploy to Iraq next year. The tough, The Georgian contingent in Iraq counts the Georgian troops… He has once
realistic training provided during Imme- 2000 personnel. The main base which more underlined the high level of pre-
diate Response 2008 will certainly help is under Georgians’ control is FOB paredness of the Georgian soldiers.
them prepare for that deployment. Delta, located in city of Al Kut, Vassit There were a lot of thankful words said
How do you estimate the prepara-
tion level of Georgian military service-
men?
The Georgian Soldiers we trained
with the last few weeks from the 4th
Brigade are fit, motivated, and disci-
plined. They are eager to learn. They
interact well with their coalition part-
ners. American soldiers are very proud
to serve alongside Georgian soldiers.
As you are informed the IV Bri-
gade is preparing to carry out peace-
keeping mission in Iraq? What rec-
ommendations would you give our
soldiers in this regard?
Continue to train hard for the mis-
sion in Iraq, incorporate the experienc-
es of those who are currently serving in
Iraq, and build on those things you
learned during Exercise Immediate Re-
sponse 08.
What obstacles do you see in the
process of implementation of “Imme-
diate Response 2008”? What is the FOB Delta
most challenging of this exercise?
Province. The main tasks for Georgian about Georgian Armed Forces. After-
We don’t see obstacles, only chal-
military are to set up roadblocks, sta- wards there was a detailed conversa-
lenges. There were several aspects to
tionary and mobile checkpoints, pro- tion about the present situation in Vas-
this exercise that were critical to suc-
vide security in Vassit Province and to sit Province, and what a positive role
cess; I can not name one in particular.
control of the checkpoint located at the has been played by the Georgian sol-
Our Georgian counterparts really went
Iran –Iraq border. diers. These were the main subjects
the extra mile to accommodate this ex-
The part of Iranian border that is which were discussed by us. Then af-
ercise and provided excellent support.
now controlled by Georgian peace- ter we talked about the future plans, and
They were fantastic hosts and we look
keepers was the place where smuggled the role of Georgian military in future
forward to working with them in the
arms once passed. During operations operations in Vassit Province.”
future.
provided by Georgian troops, there David Jokhadze
Tea Kerdzevadze
4 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
Georgian Navy Day
Georgian Naval Forces celebrated
the 16th anniversary on 7th of July. Sol-
emn ceremony to mark the Georgian
Navy Day was held in Poti. Chief of
Joint Staff of Georgian Armed Forces,
Brigade General Zaza Gogava and oth-
er high level officials of Georgian
Armed Forces congratulated the profes-
sional day to military personnel of the
Naval Forces. Father Grigol from Poti
and Khoni Eparchy blessed the repre-
sentatives of Navy Forces.
After raising flags and performing
the state anthem Brigade General Zaza
Gogava addressed the personnel of the
Georgian Navy: “I want to thank the
Navy Commander Captain Beso Shen-
gelia and Navy personnel for their great
efforts. A person should be filled with
hope to reach such progress in these
conditions. I give my word, and word
of Defence Minister that revival of the
Georgian Navy will start this year and
this process will continue until Georgia
will have the elite Naval Forces. I want
to remember those soldiers who sacri-
fice their lives during Abkhazian con-
flict. I want to wish you honorable duty,
to keep in our hearts their memories,
their names and the pain which our
Turkish and Greek Frigates in Batumi Port
Turkish TCG GOKOVA/FF/TR and
Greek HS KOUNTOURIOTIS/FF/TR
frigates made a port call in Batumi to-
day. This friendly visit of the vessels is
conducted within the framework of the
Partnership for Peace program.
Guests led by the Chief of Staff of
the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2
(SNMG 2), Captain Greg Anthony, vis-
ited the Batumi Naval Forces Base and
held a meeting with the Commander of
the Georgian Navy, Capitan Besik Shen-
gelia.
They discussed the prospects for the
Georgian Navy’s participation in exer-
cises conducted by NATO. According
to Captain Anthony’s statement: “The
visit is significant because of Georgia’s
aspiration to NATO. We have a mutual
interest: to keep peace in the Black Sea
area. Georgia plays a noteworthy role
in providing stability in the world and it
would be excellent to involve the Geor-
gian Navy into this process.”
The program of the visit also includ-
ed cultural and sport events. The leader
of Adjara and Batumi City Mayor host-
ed the foreign sailors as well. The frig-
ates left Georgian Territorial Waters on
July 25.
country underwent several years ago.
Only the devoted service of officers,
warrant officers and soldiers will relief
this pain”.
In this anniversary, representatives of
the Georgian Navy sailed to the open
sea to commemorate the deceased sail-
ors and Chief of Joint Staff let down the
wreath in the water in their honor.
This service of Armed Forces was
established in 1991. The Captain Ale-
ksander Javakhishvili was the first Chief
of Naval Forces. Captain Jumber Gabu-
nia was the head of Naval Forces’ Bri-
gade established in Poti, in 1992. Newly
created marine unit was involved in a war
to restore territorial integrity of Georgia.
Ship “Gantiadi” commanded by ex-
perienced sailor Shuqri Kopaliani per-
formed the first sea battle near Tamishi
on the 7th of July, 1993. This day entered
in the history as the day of Naval Forc-
es’ establishment.
Sailors always honorably defended
Georgian territorial waters, in spite of
difficulties, which emerged in 90th. Since
1997, vessels received from Ukraine,
Turkey, Greece and Bulgaria, important-
ly increased capabilities of Naval Forc-
es. It was decided to train personnel in
Homeless Children Spend
the Day with Vaziani
Military Brigade
The 4th Infantry Brigade held a char-
ity event called ‘Children together with
Charitable Soliders’ in Vaziani. 30 chil-
dren from Tskneti Children’s Home vis-
ited the barracks at Vaziani military base.
The day was organized by the Georgian
Defence Ministry and ‘Homeless’ a
charitable club run by stundents from
Ilia Chavchavadze State University.
The day trip was a welcome break
from the norm for the children, and
many expressed great excitement and
interest in the military equipment and
weapons. However, the excitement of
the guns was dwarfed by their joy when
the Brigade Sargeant allowed the chil-
dren to climb onboard the tank.
The brigade may even have a new
recruit in little Giorgi Kalandadze. “I
liked everything I saw: the tanks, the
pistols and the quadrocycle. I have nev-
er seen a tank before. I will join the army
when I grow up,” nodded Giorgi, proud-
ly sitting on the tank.
Even the girls enjoyed all the mili-
tary hardware. Nino Vartanian liked the
NATO member countries in last years.
tank from inside more: “I like the tank
Approximately 20 of professional
most of all. It was very interesting to see
(among them 5 with academic educa-
its cabin. I’ll come again. I am very in-
tion) officers were prepared, and 12 of
warrant officers during last period. Rep-
resentatives of Naval Forces are study-
ing in US, Germany, Greece and Tur-
key nowadays.
Ongoing reforms at the Ministry of
Defence were also reflected on Naval
Forces: its potential was put in motion
and military capabilities increased. The
process of completing with new vessels
is ongoing. Representatives of Naval
Forces participate in different interna-
tional and internal trainings. Among
them are: “Cooperative partner”, “Co-
operative MAKO, “Cooperative Mer-
lin”, “Sea Breez ,” “ BLACKSEAFOR”,
“Black Sea Partnership” and other train-
ings. Georgian Navy and the Turkish
Naval Forces Command drew the Pro-
tocol on transferring and installing of the
terested in everything.”
Automatic Identification System Net-
Even the teachers found their day on
work. Two Identification Stations in Poti
the base very entertaining and interest-
and Batumi will be installed, which will
ing. “When we learned that we coming
provide us with detailed information
here they became very curious: they
about vessels and ships sailing in the
were interested to see the military equip-
Black sea, after joining the network.
ment, the life of a soldier. They are more
Nino Gogochishvili
enthusiastic than I expected. The day
was very nice and joyful,” said Ms Dodo
Javakhishvili. She added that the chil-
dren would be painting a picture about
their visit to the military base.
The youngsters, filled with enthu-
siam for their country, visited St George
church where they were blessed by Fa-
ther Lazare. He said: “Our Savior says,
‘unless you are converted and become
like children, you will not enter the king-
dom of heaven.’ I attribute great impor-
tance to their visit today. Their lives
should be directed towards strengthen-
ing our country. The fact that they came
to church today means that they have
JULY 2008 ISSUE #13
become stronger spiritually.”
Later, the children had dinner with
the military servicemen. Company “M-
Army” treated them with cake and can-
dy. At the end of the event children re-
ceived free T-shirts with the logos of the
MoD and the charity club as gifts.
A special charity box was placed at
the military base and servicemen had
made donations. The collected money
was given to Tskneti Children’s House.
Sergeant Aleksandre Gogoladze
spoke of the benefits of the children’s
visit to the base. “I was very glad when
children were received so warmly. It is
very nice when they get used to mili-
tary life from the very beginning,” said
Gogoladze. “This will incite their desire
to serve in the army. Especially today
as Georgian soldiers have all necessary
conditions for good service. These chil-
dren need special attention as they lack
the warmth and love from their parents.”
The founder of the charity club
Homeless, Ilia Amisulashvili, evaluat-
ed the event: “This is a very important
project. We gave the children of Tskneti
Children’s House the chance to see one
day in the life of a military serviceman.
They saw the new military equipment
of the 4th Infantry Brigade. Such inter-
est from these children is very much
appreciated. We think that the Defence
Ministry will be interested in organiz-
ing such events for other children’s
homes in cooperation with our founda-
tion.”
By the end of the day, Brigade Mas-
ter-Sergeant Giorgi Dzebisashvili
thanked the organisers, saying: “First of
all I want to thank the organizers of the
event for such a wonderful day. It is very
important for the children not to perceive
a soldier as just someone who carried a
weapon and fights. I think we managed
to show them that. We’ll be happy to
host them in the future as well.”
This day will stay in the memory of
these children. They have already ex-
pressed their wish to join the army and
serve their motherland devotedly like the
solders they saw in Vaziani.