An unprecedented project — Georgia Defense Readiness Program (GDRP) — was launched on May 18th at the Vaziani base in Tbilisi, Georgia right before the minister of Defense Levan Izoria visited the U.S. GDRP marks the milestone of the U.S.-Georgia security partnership and advances the security cooperation between the two countries to a whole new level.
Minister of Defense of Georgia Levan Izoria along with Chief of General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Major-General Vladimer Chachibaiaand General Curtis Scaparrotti, the Commander of the United States European Command, opened up the GDRP launch ceremony. The opening was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Combat Training Center (CTC) at Vaziani base in Tbilisi.
“This is a new era in the U.S.-Georgia cooperation that will strengthen defense capabilities of Georgia and increase the level of protection of our citizens in the long-term perspective,” saidMinister of Defense Levan Izoria.
General Curtis Scaparrotti, the Commander of the United States European Command and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe of NATO Allied Command Operations declared, “Bilateral programs such as the GDRP demonstrate that proven partnerships are built on shared values, experiences and visions. This GDRP training program contributes to the security of the Black Sea region, and thus, the stability of the greater European security environment.”
Georgia Defense Readiness Program is designed and executed by the U.S. and the Georgian Armed Forces. The program intends to support Georgian Armed Forces training and evaluation of infantry and to increase the defense capabilities of the Georgian military units for territorial defense. Throughout GDRP, the United States will provide training management education and mentorship to the Georgian Armed Forces (GAF) tactical unit commanders and staff. In 2017, the two sides took significant steps for comprehensive implementation of GDRP — concrete military units were identified and retrained. Within GDRP, nine GAF maneuver battalions will be manned, equipped and trained. The U.S. partners will also provide support to equip the CTC with modern equipment. The active phase of GDRP will commence in 2021. The first stage will be led by the U.S. European Command instructors and the responsibility will be transferred to the Georgian side.
Minister of Defense Levan Izoria visits Washington
After the launch of GDRP, Minister Izoria paid a visit to Washington, D.C. and met with the Assistant Secretary of Defense John Rudy. The sides highlighted the importance of U.S.-Georgia cooperation in the military field and emphasized the importance of the U.S. support to Georgia’s defense transformation.
Within the visit, Defense Minister Izoria gave closing remarks at the Second Annual U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Conference hosted by the Embassy of Georgia, Heritage Foundation, and the U.S. Institute of Peace.
Minister of Defense, together with the Prime Minister of Georgia, visited the Georgian Lieutenant Iveri Buadze, who was wounded last September in Afghanistan at the Resolute Support Mission and currently undergoes rehabilitation course at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington DC. ‘I am proud that we have such brave military servicemen. With fellow allies they protect the global peace and security. We owe them a lifetime and will never forget their sacrifice, which, I believe, will not be in vain’, the Prime Minister thanked Lieutenant Buadze for his service.
As part of his visit, Defense Minister Izoria honored the memory of General John Malkhaz Shalikashvili, former head of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, originally from Georgia. Minister Izoria visited the Arlington National Cemetery and laid the remembrance wreath at his grave, joined by the son of General Shalikashvili, Bret Shalikashvili.
See more: Eucom Commander Launches Readiness Program Training Initiative in Georgia