Immediate Response 2009
The United States and Georgia began a two-week bilateral military exercise called Immediate Response on October 24 2009 as part of ongoing assistance to train Georgian troops deploying to Afghanistan in support of NATO's International Security Assistance Force mission. The program is specifically designed to enhance Georgia's ability to conduct joint counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan together with U.S. forces.
Immediate Response is an annual, bilateral security cooperation exercise conducted between U.S. and NATO and coalition partners. It is a longstanding Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed exercise focused on interoperability training and theater security cooperation, and is designed to promote understanding and cooperation between military forces of the United States and the allies.
The training is designed to exercise combined interoperability, conduct combined arms live fire, conduct training on responsive medical aid in a combat environment and bilateral training with Georgian and other multinational defense forces.
Approximately 1,600 military personnel consisting of US soldiers, airmen, marines and army civilian employees; and Georgian military personnel make up Task Force Immediate Response 2008.
The Immediate Response 2008 was the first time that Immediate Response was conducted in Georgia.
Poland and Bulgaria has commonly hosted this exercise in years past.
According to press service of the Ministry of Defense, Georgia the simulated peace-support exercise proceeded in presence of journalists, MoD and Joint Staff representatives together with American brigadier generals Jefferson S. Burton and Steven L. Salazar.
The two week phase of the military training titled as “Immediate Response”, designed for preparing the Georgian militaries to participate in the ISAF operation in Afghanistan started on October 26. The exercise is designed to promote Georgian militaries interoperability during the international security assistance mission in Afghanistan.
Georgian military servants are going through the preparatory trainings especially for the counter-terrorist operations. Georgian servants will carry out the operations side by side with American soldiers.
The training “Immediate Response” is ongoing at the Vaziani military base.
The US General Carter F. Ham got acquainted with carrying out of the Georgian-US military training Immediate Response 2009. The U.S. VII Army and USAREUR (the United States European Command) Commanding General, Carter F. Ham arrived in Georgia on October 26 2009. On October 27 2009 the General visited the Vaziani Military Base and attended military training.
General Carter F. Ham was received by Deputy Defence Minister, Nodar Kharshiladze and Chief of the Joint Staff of GAF, Major General Devi Tchankotadze.
The US General Patricia E. McQuistion arrived in Georgia on October 27 2009 to get familiar with the training process ongoing through the combined US-Georgian efforts in Georgia and all the exercise related logistical issues.
21st Theatre Sustainment Commander of US Army Europe, Patricia E. McQuistion visited the Vaziani military base to personally inspect the training process. He expressed his appreciation about the logistical support provided on site.
MoD of Georgia reaffirmed its position several times in these days, regarding intended involvement in the ISAF operation - Georgian high ranking defence officials made official statements on the NATO Ministerial.
According to the Minister of Defence Bacho Akhalaia - “Georgia fully realizes that ISAF is NATO number one priority and the most difficult mission in the history of Alliance. The establishment of peace and security in Afghanistan remains our common challenge and we should join our efforts to ensure successful accomplishment of the mission.”
In 2004, Georgia deployed 50 military personnel in support of the first democratic elections in Afghanistan in Kabul. Nowadays only one Georgian military doctor, Captain A. Gvalia participates in ISAF operation under the leadership of Lithuanian team.
“The United States expresses its appreciation about Georgia’s strong commitment to participate voluntarily in the most crucial peacekeeping operation in Afghanistan”- is declared in the official statement issued by the United States Embassy to Georgia.
References:
1. US Embassy in Georgia http://georgia.usembassy.gov
2. Ministry of Defense, Georgia http://mod.gov.ge
3. US European Command http://www.eucom.mil
4. PIMS Members site https://members.pims.org (requires registration and login)