Georgia will host the Agile Spirit 2019 multinational exercise this week, involving more than 3,000 soldiers from 14 NATO members and allies, Georgian Defence Ministry reports.
The exercise will officially begin at the 2nd Infantry Brigade of Senaki, in western Georgia, on July 27.
This is the ninth time Georgia is hosting the exercise with the goal of strengthening interoperability, training and improving operational capabilities of participants during planning and execution of operations in real time, as well as helping to ensure a stable and secure environment across the Black Sea region, the ministry says.
That is why the main message of the Agile Spirit 2019 is - Strength through Partnership,” the Defence Ministry said.
Defense Minister Levan Izoria says that the number of participating countries and soldiers have been almost doubled compared to last year. Photo: Defence Ministry press office.
The exercise will be held at three locations – 2nd Infantry Brigade in Senaki, Orpolo and Vaziani fire ranges.
The 14 countries taking party in the exercise are: Georgia, US, UK, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Norway, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.
The scenario of the combined multinational exercise includes command, staff and field trainings with live fire, engagement of maneuver and combat support elements in defensive and offensive operations,” the ministry says.
The exercise will take place through August 9.
Agile Spirit has increased in scope and numbers since it was first held in 2011. The exercise is one of two multinational drills held in Georgia annually, with Noble Partner being the other.
The exercise will be led by the Ministry of Defence of Georgia and the United States European Command.