MINISTRY OF DEFENCE OF GEORGIA
Georgia Deployment
Program-ISAF starts
The Georgia Deployment
Program-ISAF launched at the
Krtsanisi National Training
Center Aug. 31.
The Thirty-First Infantry
Battalion will undergo six-
month intensive training before
deployment to the NATO-led
ISAF operation under the com-
mand of the Expeditionary Bri-
gade of the U.S. Marines. The
soldiers will be trained in coun-
terinsurgency tactics by the
Marines Training and Advisory
Opening Ceremony of Georgia Deployment Program-ISAF
Meeting the obligations
A year has passed since Rus-
sia’s full-scale military assault
against Georgia. Despite multi-
ple appeals from the interna-
tional community, Russia refus-
es to fulfill its obligations in the
EU-brokered six-point ceasefire
agreement. Additionally, the
Supreme commander-in-chief pays tribute to fallen soldiers
INFORMATIONAL - ANALYTICAL
Group (TAG) for six months.
TAG leader, Colonel Scott
Cottrell and Georgian Ground
Forces Chief of Staff Command-
er, Lieutenant-Colonel Joni Ta-
tunashvili addressed the opening
ceremony and acknowledged the
successes achieved during the
training. Cottrell appreciated the
Georgian soldiers’ motivation to
perform their shared commit-
ment to freedom and security in
Afghanistan.
A week ago, a delegation led
country not only continues its
military presence on Georgia’s
occupied territories, but also
builds new bases, signs agree-
ments with the puppet regimes
and 10,000 Russian troops re-
main in the conflict zones. Al-
most 130,000 people are force-
by Marines Commandant, Gen-
eral James Conway paid an of-
ficial visit to the Defense Min-
istry.
At the meeting, the delega-
tion and ministry officials dis-
cussed bilateral partnership and
prospects of cooperation be-
tween the two states. Meeting
participants also discussed the
security environment in Geor-
gia, as well as the ministry’s
policy priorities and ongoing
reforms.
fully displaced from their
homes.
The situation on the ground
is still tense, especially after
Russia’s veto blocking interna-
tional observers from monitor-
ing the territories.
Continued on p.3
AUGUST 2009 ISSUE #26
Defense minister
outlines priorities
Newly appointed Defense
Minister Bacho Akhalaia held his
first news conference Aug. 28.
Akhalaia introduced his priorities
as minister to Georgian and for-
eign media representatives.
“The enduring and clear
goals of the Defense Ministry are
the modernization of the army,
peace and NATO integration,”
Akhalaia said. “The Georgian
armed forces are on an irrevers-
ible path to modernization. My
main goals are to strengthen
army and support its profession-
al development in compliance
Interview with
David J. Smith,
Director of Georgian
Security Analysis Center
Defense Ministry
Education Command
completes training
Basic Combat
Training for recruits
finishes
with Western standards to make with NATO member and partner
them capable to overcome all countries defending the princi-
existing and future concerns re- ples of transparency and profes-
garding the future security of our
country.”
He added that Georgia is a
“peaceful and democratic state.”
sionalism.”
The minister praised former
Defense Minister Vasil Sikha-
rulidze and his contribution to
“I will sustain stability and strengthening the governmental
peace in the country and in the organ.
whole region,” Akhalaia said. “We face numerous challeng-
“Georgia’s national goal – to es, but we have a strong team and
become a member of NATO – I am proud to be a member. I am
has no alternative. We are going sure the Defense Ministry will
to work for NATO integration overcome all difficulties at
intensively. I will pursue our present and in the future,”
course in close collaboration Akhalaia said.
INSIDE
Armed forces celebrate
Tank Men Day
Summer Mountain
Training Course ends
Rugby
championship
The tactical-field
exercises
“Pari 2009” ended
2 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
Interview with David J. Smith,
Director of Georgian Security Analysis Center
Defense Today: A year has passed
since the war last August. How would
you assess the real reasons behind the
Russian aggression?
David Smith: We did not need one
year to study that question because Rus-
sian motives were clear even before the
August 2008 invasion. Indeed, last Au-
gust was just a battle in a Russian war
against Georgia that began in 1989 and
continues today. Russian motives are
emotional but also geopolitical.
Putin and his ilk see international
relations in 19th-century zero-sum geo-
political terms. In such a view, Russia
needs Ukraine and the South Caucasus
to defend itself from aggression. This
explains their obsession with Moldova,
Transdniester, Ukraine and Georgia.
When someone such as former U.S.
President George Bush says, “The Cold
War is over, Russia is not the enemy,”
he is 100-percent correct, but he is
speaking a language that is not under-
stood in Moscow. And the problem with
zero-sum games is that even if only one
side sees it that way, it becomes a zero-
sum game. Make-no mistake – the Au-
gust 2008 invasion was an attack on the
East-West corridor and upon Georgia’s
Western orientation.
Q: Russian President [Dmitry]
Medvedev proposes new security ar-
chitecture to Europe where he clear-
ly talks about spheres of influence.
U.S. officials often reiterate that the
U.S. does not recognize any sphere of
influence but Georgian and some
Eastern European officials expressed
concern that U.S. attempts to “reset”
relations with Moscow could put the
emerging democracies on Russia’s
border on the back burner of U.S. for-
eign-policy priorities. What do you
think – do these concerns have any
basis?
A: No, I do not think there is a dan-
ger of Washington deliberately shunting
aside Eastern Europe in favor of a reset
in U.S.-Russian relations. My concern
is that there is no coherent view in the
[U.S. President Barack] Obama Admin-
istration of what reset means. That is a
recipe for a foreign policy drift in which
it is unclear whether we are going back-
ward or forward and in which it is well
not impossible to consider costs versus
benefits of particular actions.
In such an environment, Washington
might fail to recognize certain Russian
geopolitical steps against Eastern Eu-
rope for what they are. However, so far,
so good – Obama delivered just the right
message to Moscow about Georgia.
There is a debate going on in Washing-
ton, and it can be affected with skilful
diplomacy and demonstrable Georgian
commitment to continued reforms and
good government.
Q: On the anniversary of the war,
a number of experts anticipated the
possibility of an eruption of a new
conflict. After the visit of Obama in
Moscow and Vice President Joe Biden
in Tbilisi, when the U.S. expressed
unambiguous support towards Geor-
gia’s sovereignty and territorial integ-
rity, the predictions about renewed
aggression diminished. How do you
evaluate the threats Georgia faces to-
day?
A: Frankly, I think we must still ex-
pect further Russian aggression – against
Georgia, against Ukraine or both. The
continuing occupation and quasi-annex-
ation of Georgian territory, reinforce-
ment of control lines as if they were state
borders, the implicit threat to the East-
West corridor, the Russian Coast Guard
patrolling in Georgian territorial waters
and utter stonewalling at the Geneva
talks are all, by the way, forms of fur-
ther aggression.
I think the president and Obama
probably, probably, deflected another
major military action. However, I think
that Moscow will still try to send a set
of escalating messages to Washington
to say that Putin, not Obama, is in charge
of this part of the world.
There is any number of pretexts that
Moscow could conjure up for some kind
of military action against Georgia.
There could be mysterious explosions
along the gas and oil pipelines, another
cyber attack or an incident at sea. Both
Georgia and the U.S. must be ready for
this because part of Moscow’s purpose
will be to gauge their reactions.
Q: Today a considerable part of the
Georgian territory is still occupied
and thousands of our citizens are
forcefully displaced from their homes.
In your opinion what measures should
be taken for the de-occupation of the
Georgian territories?
A: It is unfair, not right, but unfortu-
nately, patient diplomatic pressure is
now the key. There is no military op-
tion. Moreover, under current condi-
tions, do not expect any Russian flexi-
bility in the Geneva talks. Nonetheless,
I am optimistic because what the Rus-
sians still call the “correlation of forc-
es” is moving in Moscow’s disfavor.
The Russian economy is a disaster,
reinvestment in the energy industry is
inadequate and tensions in Russian so-
ciety are beginning to flare. Outside
Russia, no country any longer entertains
starry notions about that country – last
summer’s aggression exposed Putin’s
regime for what it is. Now, Georgia must
conduct effective diplomacy and build
its military, economy and democracy. It
will take some time, but I am confident
that the people who were hounded from
their homes in Abkhazia and Samach-
ablo will return to their regions of Geor-
gia.
The U.S. and other Western countries
August 2008, Russian Occupants heading for Tskhinvali
must help train and equip a Georgian
army that can deter, defend and resist
further aggression. Meanwhile, the
west, particularly the EU, must tell Rus-
sia that its continued wanton violation
of the 6-point ceasefire agreement bro-
kered by the EU presidency is unaccept-
able. By the way, it is time to push the
International Olympic Committee to
move the 2014 Winter Olympics away
from Sochi.
Q: The Georgian army and over-
all military infrastructure logically
suffered remarkable damage during
warfare. What concrete measures
should be taken to improve Georgia’s
defense capabilities?
A: Before answering such a question,
let us be clear – the Georgian armed
forces performed pretty well last sum-
mer. The armed forces are not starting
anew – much had been accomplished
before August 2008, and now the task
is to build upon those accomplishments.
There are five key requirements.
First, the armed forces – with Western
help – must develop strategy and doc-
trine to deter, defend and resist against
a force that is superior, particularly in
armor and control of the air. It must be
able to inflict significant damage over a
significant period of time. Second, and
concurrently, the armed forces must be
trained and equipped, according to the
developing doctrine, for anti-air, anti-
armor and modern command and con-
trol operations. Third, the armed forces
must establish clear and firm command
structures and procedures, and thorough-
ly train the civilian leadership and mili-
tary officers accordingly. Fourth, it must
develop a plan, even if it cannot be im-
mediately fulfilled, to deal with the Rus-
sian threat from the sea. Fifth – educa-
tion, education, education. The armed
forces’ personnel and Defense Ministry
civilians must be afforded every oppor-
tunity for training and education because
any reforms, any building, any future
depends on them.
Now, this seems like a lot because it
is a lot, however, I would make two
points. First, a journey of a thousand
miles begins with the first step. Sec-
ond, Georgia needs help from western
countries – make no mistake – building
armed forces that can deter, defend and
resist is in the national interest of every
NATO country and some non-NATO
AUGUST 2009 ISSUE #26
countries too.
Q: The Georgian government took
a decision to contribute a Georgian in-
fantry battalion to Afghanistan for
service under the U.S. command in
the International Security Assistance
Force (ISAF). To help prepare for this
mission, the U.S. is sending Marine
Corps trainers to Georgia Aug. 15 to
implement a training program. How
do you evaluate the significance of this
training and generally, Georgia’s par-
ticipation in ISAF?
A: The Marines training is very im-
portant because the U.S. Marines are the
finest fighting force in the world – the
Georgian armed forces will be learning
from the best. And that is important
because the armed forces mission in
Afghanistan will be tough. The train-
ing is to ensure that the armed forces
are fully ready.
After the first Georgian battalion
goes to Afghanistan, the Marines will
train the Georgian battalions that will
serve in the following rotations there,
so this is more than just a one-time ef-
fort. Then, speaking purely personally,
I am hopeful that, as the Obama Admin-
istration determines its policy directions,
the Marine training could be trans-
formed into a greater effort to assist the
armed forces.
As for Georgian participation in the
NATO-led war in Afghanistan, this is a
good decision for four reasons. First, it
indicates that despite the challenges
Georgia faces, it remains firm in its com-
mitments to international security.
Peace and freedom are not free—Geor-
gia understands this and it is determined
to be a net contributor. Second, saddling
up for another difficult mission so soon
after the August 2008 invasion is in it-
self a sign of the GAF’s resilience and
determination. Third, although the Ma-
rines are now providing only Afghani-
stan-specific training, any training and
any real-world experience will contrib-
ute to the overall professionalism of the
GAF. Finally, Georgia has a geopoliti-
cal interest closing Afghanistan as a ter-
rorist training ground. Europe and the
west can fight these battles where they
originate or wait for the terrorists to
come to their own hometowns. As we
have seen, Afghanistan is not, after all,
so far from Europe, and Georgia is on
Europe’s eastern edge.
AUGUST 2009 ISSUE #26
Defense Ministry Education Meeting the obligations
Command completes training
Following the Georgia-Russia war in
August 2008, a number of important
reforms were implemented in the Geor-
gian armed forces. As a result, a num-
ber of priorities have been reviewed and
attention has been attached to field and
practical training.
Although conducting field-based
operations does not fall into the compe-
tence of the Training and Military Edu-
cation Command, military subunits must
further develop and improve combat and
operational skills given the security sit-
uation in Georgia. Month-long field ex-
ercises were held to meet this objective.
The exercises were organized by the
Education Command at the Armored
Tank Training Center and Orpholo Fir-
During the field exercise
ing Range in Akhaltsikhe.
The drills were led by Education
Command Chief of Staff Col. Zurab
Machatidze. Their key objective was to
enhance the combat capabilities of the
Education Command personnel and im-
prove communication opportunities. He
reported that they were allowed to mon-
itor the Education Command Staff un-
der field conditions, while they were
managing subunits from a remote dis-
tance. They also studied the physical
preparation level of servicemen.
Providing first medical aid
The subunits consisting of sergeants
and corporals were divided into two Alfa
and Bravo groups. Parallel to the daily
operations, the servicemen developed
tactical skills necessary for conducting
combat operations. In the course of the
drills, participants went through individ-
ual preparations, navigation, topogra-
phy, communications and first aid cours-
es and training in shooting and engineer-
ing. The servicemen also performed
model shooting at the firing range.
The final training activities were led
by the Education Department’s G-3 Di-
vision Commander Archil Omiadze.
After the exercises, a briefing was held
devoted to the drills. The participants
developed a scenario, selected a simu-
lated adversary and entrusted the sub-
units with a special task. As part of the
scenario, the fictitious adversary seized
territory with their abundant forces,
prompting the local population to turn
to guerrilla warfare.
Guerilla units were formed with par-
ticipating servicemen, which had to de-
stroy the adversary’s logistic convoy.
Accordingly, the units raided the ene-
my’s check points, seized additional
combat materials and transport means,
carried out navigation, and discovered
hidden stores. Afterward, they moved to
the ambush area and advanced an assault
on the enemy using all the tactical ele-
ments of fighting. As a result of inten-
sive combat operations, the servicemen
managed to destroy the enemy’s logis-
tic convoy.
The final training was held at the
Orpholo Firing Range and ended with a
20-kilometer tactical march. As Colo-
nel Archil Omaidze stated afterward, the
field-based exercises were successful.
“The servicemen employed all the
fighting elements developed during the
drills,” he said.
In the course of the trainings, partic-
MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
3
ular attention was paid to providing first
aid and evacuating wounded servicemen
from the field. The exercises also includ-
ed simulated accidents and reacting in a
timely manner.
The field-based training began July
15 and ended Aug.14 with a solemn cer-
emony of oath taken by the corporals.
Col. Zurab Machitadze evaluated posi-
tively the field operations.
President of Georgia encourages the family members of the fallen
“For the first time the Education
Command personnel took the informa-
Continued from p.1 ner countries supported these soldiers
tion about the possible exercises poor-
after the war by treating the injured in
ly, although after a month their mood
But in this period Georgia has not their hospitals. Also, during their treat-
had radically changed,” he said. “Fol-
stopped developing, and the process of ment, every soldier received pay. Nu-
lowing the exercises, the servicemen
recovering continues. This year was es- merous events were also held for injured
found it difficult to return to their usual
pecially important for the Defense Min- soldiers, and they were awarded med-
working regime. The field training made
istry. It was indicated in the minister’s als and honors.
“Vision 2009” – a document highlight- The Mukhadgverdi Military Ceme-
ing the ministry’s annual objectives – tery was also built. On Aug. 7, on the
that apart from other priorities, particu- one-year anniversary of the Russian ag-
lar emphasis in 2009 should be focused gression, Georgian civil society repre-
on meeting social obligations to support sentatives and military officials includ-
the families of soldiers killed or injured ing the president visited the cemetery to
as a result of Russian aggression. pay tribute to the heroes of the August
During this year, much was accom- war. The supreme commander-in-chief
plished to meet these obligations. An laid a wreath at the memorial. Soon a
accent was placed on social assistance. small church will be opened near the
First, it was one-time financial compen- cemetery.
sation. The sums of the compensation An important event that should also
were defined by rank and degree of in- be discussed among social projects is de-
jury. Families of fallen soldiers received mining. These activities began almost
14,500 lari, and civilians 10,000 lari. as soon as the warfare ended on Sept. 5,
Additionally, 7,000 and 3,000 lari were 2008. Today almost all territories in the
given to soldiers with serious and light conflict zones have been de-mined and
injuries. The degrees of injury were de- the activities should end by autumn.
fined by medical experts. One-time as- Such projects were conducted for the
sistance was also provided to the fami- first on par with international standards.
lies of killed soldiers, who will soon re- The de-mining activities were financed
ceive apartments in Tbilisi, which are by donor states like the U.S., Canada,
currently undergoing repairs. Norway, France and Great Britain, and
For a long-term support plan, family were significant as they provided a se-
members were employed in governmen- cure environment for Georgian villages
tal structures. One-hundred persons are in conflict zones.
employed within the framework of this The process has not finished. The
program. Medical treatment of the in- Defense Ministry will continue work-
jured soldiers is financed by the Defense ing, not only to help those who suffered
Ministryat the Military Hospital. In case from last August’s Russian aggression,
the servicemen more effective in cop-
of necessity, they were relocated to civ- but to protect every Georgian citizen and
ing with any kind of tasks. Moreover we
il hospitals and sometimes abroad. It insure them from further difficulties.
are certain that we can successfully com-
should be mentioned that Georgia’s part- Ana Alania
mand our subunits even from remote
distances. In the near future we intend
to conduct similar drills with units sub-
ordinated to the Education Command.”
It should be mentioned that quite a
larged number of Education Command
senior officials and female personnel
participated in the training. They man-
aged to perform their tasks despite the
heavy physical burden.
Master Sergeant Nino Gurgenidze
described emotionally her combat expe-
rience in Akhaltsikhe.
“At first, the information about the
field-based training was unexpected,”
she said. “I was intending to go on leave
to Racha, but my plans suddenly
changed and we had to depart for the
Akhaltsikhe Military Base. Although I
have been serving in the armed forces
since 1999, the field conditions were
unfamiliar and I was afraid of the situa-
tion. We began morning exercises at
07:00 and received concrete tasks at
09:00. The military personnel was di-
vided into Alfa and Bravo groups. One
group performed daily functions during
the first half of the day, while the other
operated in the field area. Although at
first the training was difficult for me –
for example I could not carry the armor
and helmets easily, as they were way too
heavy for me – I am too satisfied with
the experience I gained on the whole.
We tried to do our best.”
Gurgenidze added that the training
helped her to better understand the way
soldiers live and the importance of their
role in safeguarding the homeland.
Eka Gakhokidze August 2008, Trraces of the Russian Aggression
4 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
Basic Combat Training for recruits finishes
A recruit training program held un-
der the auspices of the Basic Combat
Training (BCT) ended successfully. An
official ceremony attended by the close
friends and family members of recruits
was held at the Vaziani Military Base
Aug. 21.
During the ceremony, guests ob-
served a minute of silence to honor
Georgian servicemen who died protect-
ing the country’s territorial integrity
during the last year’s war.
The national anthem was played and
certificates were awarded to the service-
men for successfully completing the
training.
Armed forces celebrate
Tank Men Day
The Georgian armed forces celebrat-
ed Tank Men Day at a solemn ceremo-
ny at the Akhaltsikhe Armored Tank
Center Aug. 10.
Event participants observed one minute
of silence to commemorate the soldiers who
perished during the war last August. Later,
an awarding ceremony ensued.
Successful servicemen received
Oath-taking ceremony
Rugby championship
The Georgian Armed Forces First
Rugby Cup has ended. The tournament
was hosted by the city of Batumi from
Aug. 10 until Aug. 16.
Eight teams were divided into two
subgroups. Subgroup winners proceed-
ed to the playoffs. The Second Brigade
beat the National Defense Academy and
the First Infantry Brigade defeated the
Fourth Infantry Brigade in the semifi-
nals. The Fourth Infantry Brigade took
third place. The second and third bri-
commendation letters and eight service-
men received financial awards.
An armored vehicle display was also
held at the end of the ceremony. The
event was attended by military person-
nel, and local municipality representa-
tives and clergy.
Georgia has celebrated Tank Men
Day since Aug. 10, 1992.
gades played for the championship ti-
tle. The Second Infantry Brigade ulti-
mately came out on top.
Second Brigade Corporal Irakli
Pochkhua was nominated as the tourna-
ment’s MVP.
After the cup, the Georgian armed forc-
es participated in the sand-rugby tourna-
ment. After defeating Armenia, Georgia
took second place. The Batumi Munici-
pality awarded tournament participants
letters of commendation and awards.
AUGUST 2009 ISSUE #26
The training program included prac-
tical and theoretical exercises in shoot-
ing, topography and tactical elements.
The soldiers also received training in
communications, physical fitness and
rendering first-aid in the field environ-
ment.
Only 395 recruits from the initially
selected 553 servicemen underwent the
12-day training. BCT graduates will be
sent to various units of the armed forces
and continue their compulsory military
service.
High-ranking officials of the Joint
Staff attended the solemn graduation
ceremony in Vaziani.
Summer Mountain
Training Course ends
Awarding ceremony
Mountain Training School instruc- er, Col. Aleksandre Kiknadze, Moun- running obstacle courses, and planning
tors finished their Summer Mountain tain Training School Chief, Major routes by using various techniques and
Training Course. A ceremony to mark Malkhaz Merlani and French Defense facilities.
the end of the course was held Aug. 21 Attache, Col. Daniel Chambon. Eighteen instructors entered the
at the Sachkhere Mountain Training
School. Graduates were awarded cer-
During the five-week exercises, the
servicemen were trained via theoreti-
training course, graduated with honors
and were granted certificates and spe-
tificates. cal and practical preparations in verti- cial badges.
The awarding ceremony was attend- cal and horizontal rock climbing, mov- The Summer Mountain Training
ed by Land Forces Deputy Command- ing on mountain locations and march- Course started June 20.
The tactical-field exercises “Pari 2009” Ended
The tactical-field exercises “Pari
2009” that was ongoing on the territory
of Orpholo firing range were complet-
ed by the end of the previous month.
11th Battalion of I Infantry Brigade,
Tank Company of III Infantry Brigade,
platoons of I and II Artillery Brigades,
artillerists of I and II Infantry Brigades,
as well as Anti-Aircraft units and the
servicemen of Air Forces and Special
Forces Groups were involved in the ex-
ercises.
President of Georgia and Minister of
Defence attended the final phase of the
exercises. High-ranking officials eval-
uated the military servicemen’s prepa-
ration level as successful. Various sub-
units took part in the operation. In the
course of the exercise a focus was made
on achieving interoperability among the During the simulated military opera- Parliament and foreign defence attach-
sub-units. All the participating service- tions the Georgian military servicemen es were present at the Orpholo firing
men accomplished the mission success- succeeded to deter, destroy and range.
fully. counter-attack the adversary. All mod- Towards the end of the exercises the
The exercises were carried on un- ern armed forces have tactical groups, military servicemen were awarded with
der the command of Chief of Joint that are capable to carry out the com- medals, certificates and presents.
Staff, Major-General Devi Tchanko- bat operation in an autonomous re- At the end of the day, Georgian sing-
tadze. As Chief of JS stated: “The third gime.” ers dedicated the concert to the partici-
phase of the training is over today. In addition, Georgian Members of pating military servicemen.