Georgia’s National Guard welcomes new chief

Colonel Irakli Chumburidze, who has served in international peacekeeping missions, fought for Georgia’s territorial integrity and chaired J-2 Intelligence Department of the General Staff of Georgia, has been appointed as the new head of the country’s National Guard.

He has replaced Brigadier General Levan Gamkrelidze in the role.

Former head of the National Guard hands over a flag to a new chairperson, which is a tradition. Photo bu Ministry of Defence press office. 

To head the National Guard is a huge honor and responsibility for any officer,” Head of Georgia’s General Staff Vladimer Chachibaia stated at the special ceremony in which the new chair of the National Guard was named today.

The new head of the National Guard fought for Georgia’s territorial integrity in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) in 1992-1993 and participated in international peacekeeping missions in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2014-2015.

Defence Ministry held a special ceremony for the new head. Photo by Ministry of Defence press office. 

Georgia’s National Guard, which was established in December 1990, is responsible for training and re-training of recruits. It also has a support mission in military operations and is involved in security operations.

The Guard acts under Georgia’s Ministry of Defence.