Georgia-US joint military Noble Partner exercise ends

The joint Georgia-United States (US) military exercise Noble Partner 2015 has officially closed at the Vaziani Air Base in eastern Georgia.

A closing ceremony and a special demonstration training by the American and international infantry fighting vehicles was held yesterday on the final day of the exercise.

President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili, Defence Minister Tinatin Khidasheli, Chief of General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Major-General Vakhtang Kapanadze and Members of Georgia’s Parliament attended the ceremony.

Participants of the Noble Partner 2015 at the closing ceremony of the exercise. Photo by US Embassy in Tbilisi

President Margvelashvili delivered a speech at the event and said this exercise would assist the development of the Georgian Armed Forces and the country’s NATO integration process.

"It required strong will and the principle position of many people to hold this exercise in Georgia. I would like to thank everyone who was involved at the highest political, diplomatic and governmental levels to ensure this historic exercise was held on Georgian ground, but the biggest contributors are the people who wear uniforms today and serve Georgia as well as global peace,” he said.

Afterwards Margvelashvli handed over special coins to everyone who participated in the joint military exercise. Additionally, Georgia’s Defence Minister and Chief of General Staff awarded the Georgian and American military servants with medals.

Defence Minister Khidasheli spoke at the ceremony and congratulated the Noble Partner participants on successfully carrying out the joint military exercise.

"I am very glad that I am celebrating the closing of this important training with you today. This exercise is one more important step towards strengthening military cooperation between our two countries,” she said.

Georgian Defence Minister Tinatin Khidasheli addresses the participants of the Noble Partner 2015. Photo by Georgia's Defence Ministry.

"During the days the exercise was carried out, Georgian and American military servants were worthy partners to each other and justified the name of the exercise. This military training is another clear example that the Georgian Army has always been and will be a devoted ally for its strategic partners and will contribute to ensuring global security and international peace,” she said.

The Noble Partner joint military exercise was held at Vaziani Air Base from May 11 and was the first time a joint military exercise of this nature was held in Georgia. The exercise aimed to strengthen the readiness of the Georgian Armed Forces to join the NATO Response Force.

Approximately 600 Georgian and American military servants took part in the military exercise. In addition, it was the first time US armored vehicles were brought to Georgia.