Minister of Defense To Visit Georgia’s Allies
This week, Georgia's Minister of Defense, Levan Izoria, will visit the main U.S training camp in Germany and then attend Independence Day celebrations in Ukraine on August 24.
Izoria will be welcomed to the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) by Major General Russell Sanborn, Commander of Marine Corps Forces in Europe and Africa, and Brigadier General Christopher LaNeve, Commanding General of US Army’s 7th Army Training Command.
The JMRC is a part of the Joint Multinational Training Center (JMTC) which supervises the training of all U.S. military forces in Europe (USAREUR). In the training camp, the troops simulate and prepare for peacekeeping missions.
The meeting is aimed at briefing Izoria on the deployment preparation of Georgian Armed Forces in Afghanistan. The 2nd Infantry Brigade will take part in NATO’s Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan under the oversight of American and Georgian instructors.
Georgia is the number one non-member contributor to the NATO Mission in Afghanistan.
After his visit to Germany, Izoria will attend Independence Day celebrations in Ukraine on Friday. A detachment of the National Guard of Georgia will join the parade in Kiev's Freedom Square.
The Ukrainian government has affirmed its desire to make this year’s parade the largest one since the beginning of the civil war backed by Russia in 2014. 15 partner nations are expected to participate.
According to Ukrainian Defense Minister, Army General Stepan Poltorak, almost 5.000 troops, and 250 military vehicles will be on parade for the celebration.
By Antoine Dewaest
Photo: Sgt. Karen Sampson, US Army press release