Marine and Georgia delegates appreciate selfless service of Georgian soldiers

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Alexis Mulero | Georgian Maj. Zaza Tsamalashvili, battalion commander of the 33rd Light Infantry Battalion, and his troops kneel down while receiving a blessing from the battalion chaplain during the battalion's deployment ceremony, April 8. The 33rd LIB recently concluded a six-month training package in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Georgia Deployment Program - International Security Assistance Force.  

VAZIANI, GEORGIA

04.08.2011

Story by Gunnery Sgt. Alexis Mulero 

Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command

VAZIANI -- The Republic of Georgia’s Ministry of Defense hosted a deployment ceremony for more than 800 soldiers from Georgia’s 33rd Light Infantry Battalion at Vaziani Training Area, April 11.

The ceremony was attended by more than 100 family members, friends and guests, and included distinguished visitor Bachana Akhalaia, chief of defense of the Georgian MOD.

The 33rd LIB recently concluded a six-month training package in preparation for their upcoming deployment to the Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Georgia Deployment Program - International Security Assistance Force.

“GDP-ISAF marks a continuation of a long history of coalition contributions for the Georgians,” said Army Maj. Ron Franklin, deputy chief for the Office of Defense Cooperation in the Republic of Georgia. At the same time it serves to validate Georgian soldiers in the harshest conditions possible. The program strengthens the United States Marine Corps relationship with the Georgians and provides a lasting counterinsurgency capability to the Georgian Ministry of Defense.”

This is the third Georgian infantry battalion to deploy as part of the program. The GDP-ISAF is a two-year Marine Corps Forces Europe supported program that trains and equips four Georgian infantry battalions to serve alongside Marines with I and II Marine Expeditionary Force in Afghanistan.

“The 33rd Battalion follows on the footsteps of the very successful deployments of the 31st and 32nd Battalions in support of NATO mission in Afghanistan,” said Col. Christopher R. McCarthy, commanding officer of Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group to the Georgians during his speech. “We recognize the sacrifice that Georgia has made in Afghanistan, and I can tell you the Marines of Helmand Providence are proud to fight beside you. Your reputation as a professional, disciplined, and proficient force is a testament to the will of your soldiers and the skill of your leadership.”

Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group was the lead component for the planning, coordination, and execution of the program. MCTAG is a Marine Corps unit that specializes in conducting security cooperation training and events in support of regional Marine force headquarters and the GDP is the longest and largest mission to date according to their commanding officer.

“The strategic value of having a prepared a professional partner nation fighting alongside Marines in Afghanistan cannot be overstated,” said Marine Col. Christopher McCarthy, commanding officer of MCTAG. “The Georgians stepped up, volunteered and want to be active partners. We are proud to have been part of preparing them for this important mission.”

The GDP was also supported by Marine Corps operating forces and the Training and Education Command who provided mobile training teams that helped instruct the more than 800 Georgian soldiers in every phase of the individual and unit-level training.

“This program is one of the best military cooperations that our (U.S. and Republic of Georgia) countries have ever had,” said Georgian Col. Arsen Tsukishvili, deputy chief of staff, Joint Staff of Georgia. “The Marine and Georgian trainers work very well together and have developed a great relationship through this program. The success of this program can be greatly attributed to this (Marine and Georgian trainers) relationship and the lessons learned from Georgian battalions who have already deployed.”

The simple but professional ceremony also included a Georgian military ceremonial band, the presentation of the battalion colors from the 3rd Infantry Brigade commander, and a blessing of the formation by the unit chaplain.

The Georgian 33rd Light Infantry Battalion deploys this month.

• Date Taken: 04.08.2011
• Date Posted: 04.12.2011 08:43
• Story ID: 68617
• Location: VAZIANI, GE