Georgian soldiers depart for Afghanistan

A send-off ceremony of Georgian soldier participating in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan was held at the Vaziani military base today.

The I Infantry Brigade 13th More Platoon Battalion will operate at camp Phoenix in the Kandahar Province and the Mountain Reconnaissance Battalion will continue to work in the Kandahar Province for six months. The 23rd Battalion will replace the III Infantry Brigade 31 at the Lazernik military base in the Helmand province.

The ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Irakli Alasania, Chief of Joint Staff of Georgian Armed Forces and General Mayor Vakhtang Kapanadze and various US military leaders.

Alasania welcomed the soldiers and wished them a successful mission and safe return.

"The readiness of the Battalions is very high as they have trained for the mission. Our American partners have estimated that all combat components of the Army are fully justified. We believe Georgian soldiers will finish the operation successfully,” Alasania said.

Georgia has been involved in the mission in Afghanistan since 2009 and it is the largest non-NATO member contributor to ISAF, with 1,600 soldiers.

The majority of Georgian’s served in the Helmand province in Southern Afghanistan, which is considered to be one of the most troubled parts of the country.