Georgia, Tbilisi, March 11 / Trend N.Kirtskhalia /
A joint Georgian-American military exercise 'Agile Spirit 2013' started at the Vaziani military firing ground on Monday.
Soldiers of the Second Infantry Brigade of the 23nd battalion of the Georgian army and 350 U.S. Marines are participating in the exercise, the Georgian Defence Ministry told Trend. The 23rd Battalion returned from Afghanistan after a peacekeeping mission without losses.
The Agile Spirit 2013 exercise is being held for the third year. Joint exercises are aimed at deepening cooperation between military units during peacekeeping operations and unrest as well as maintaining cooperation between Georgia and the U.S. military.
Monthly exercises consist of three stages. The active phase will begin on March 18 and last until March 29. During training, Georgian and U.S. military will improve their firing skills from different weapons. Tactical exercises are expected during the following stage when the military will carry out all the tasks performed during the ISAF operation in Afghanistan.
To make it look more realistic, a group of actors will be involved in the conditional scenario. An agreement in this regard has already been reached.
The exercise will be maximally open to the media. Moreover, for the first time in Georgia's history, journalists will participate in the military exercise and be trained to highlight the ISAF operation in Afghanistan.
The Georgian-American exercise will be completed on April 5.