Georgia, Tbilisi, Apr. 8 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
Georgian Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia praised the preparation of the 31st Battalion of the Georgian Armed Forces that left for Afghanistan to carry out international peacekeeping mission, the ministry reported.
The 31st Battalion of the Georgian Armed Forces left for Afghanistan. The Georgian militaries will take part in the NATO-led ISAF peacekeeping mission in the province of Helmand. The Georgian peace contingent will get down to fulfilling the mission integrated into the U.S .Battalion.
A farewell ceremony was organized at the Vaziani military base Apr.7. During the ceremony Lieutenant General Richard F. Natonski and Deputy Chief of the JS Col. Arsen Tsukhishvili addressed the Georgian soldiers.
"Any sort of military operation in itself is a difficult task and I believe that this Battalion will be one of the best one," Akhalaia said.
The 31st Battalion of Georgian army underwent the intensive 6 month preparation course for participation in the international security operation ongoing in Afghanistan under the aegis of NATO.
During the preparation they were given the opportunity to adopt skills in conducting protection, searching, evacuating, convoy and cordon operations. They were given lessons as well in skills of communication with leadership and community.
The Intensive preparation course was held at the training bases of Vaziani and "Krtsanisi" Training Center. The Battalion personnel were in the German town of Hohenfelse as well, where the soldiers passed through intensive exercises in the United States` Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC).
The overall preparation level of the Georgian militaries was positively assessed by both the Center experts and the US Advisors and Trainers.
One Company of the GAF has already left for Afghanistan to engage in the ISAF operation on the 16th of November, 2009. Georgian Peace Battalion is accomplishing the mission there incorporated in the French Battalion.