2018 was another outstanding year in Georgia-U.S. relations marked by high-level cooperation in support of Georgia’s total defense approach and Euro-Atlantic integration.
Most remarkable was the beginning of 2018 when Georgia received a long-sought after Javelin system which, in addition to filling a critical capability gap, was once again a testament that the U.S.-Georgia relationship is built on a solid foundation with increasing trust and partnership.
The many working and high level visits were a sign of continuous commitment to strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership. Amongst many important engagements, the most notable was the visit of National Security Advisor John Bolton, Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, Major General Russell Sanborn Commander Marine Forces Europe/Africa, Stephen R. Lyons Transportation Commander and LTG Cavoli of CG US Army Europe. Minister Levan Izoria visited the U.S. in May 2018 and I co-chaired the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission Defense and Security Cooperation Working Group in October 2018.
In May, during his visit to Georgia, Gen. Scaparrotti announced the start of one the most ambitious bilateral Georgia Defense Readiness Program’s (GDRP) training initiative. The third Georgian infantry battalion underwent GDRP training built on lessons learned from the previous two rotations.
In addition to tactical training, GDRP-I continues to develop systems and processes necessary for long term sustainment. Furthermore, GDRP-I will ultimately result in institutionalized readiness systems across the entire Georgian Defense Forces. By the completion of the program in 2021 Georgia will have a capacity to man, train, equip and sustain tactical forces at the readiness levels required to accomplish assigned national missions.
In parallel to developing territorial defense capabilities, Georgia continues to contribute to global peace and security. To further enhance Georgia’s pre-deployment training capabilities, the U.S. and Georgia have agreed to gradually transition Mission Rehearsal Exercise from Germany to Georgia. Both territorial and pre-deployment training capability development is supported by a separate but GDRP aligned CTC/JTEC development. CTC is to become the bedrock for the Georgia Defense Forces training management system preparing units for all national missions. Furthermore, flexible and interoperable CTC with its interconnected diverse training areas, fully instrumented systems and highly realistic environment will support multinational exercises, pre-deployment trainings as well as NATO Allies and partners to conduct their own readiness oriented trainings on a rotational bases in Georgia.
Exercise Noble Partner also contributed to making 2018 remarkable in U.S.-Georgia relations. It was the largest ever multinational exercise which enjoyed personnel and equipment participation from Europe and around region. In 2019, Georgia expects Agile Spirit 2019 to be as historic as Noble Partner 2018.
As a NATO aspirant country, Georgia has proven multiple times its significant contribution to common Euro-Atlantic security and is currently one of the top troop contributors engaged in the NATO Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan. Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis thanked Minister of Defense Levan Izoria for Georgia’s exemplary defense reforms and contributions to the NATO Resolute Support mission, reaffirming once more the long-standing defense relationship between the United States and Georgia.
