Georgian solders receive awards in Afghanistan

Georgian solders serving in Afghanistan have been honoured for their contribution to the post-International Assistance Security Force (ISAF) peacekeeping mission.

Georgian military servicemen participating in the new, follow-on NATO-led Resolute Support mission were awarded with special certificates and coins for completing their successful mission at Afghanistan’s Bagram Air Base.

The mission was being operated from one central hub at the Bagram Air Base in Kabul and four satellite stations in Mazar-e Sharif, Herat, Kandahar and Laghman.

Senior Georgian military representative to Afghanistan, Colonel Mamuka Kavtaradze, presented the Georgian servicemen with service medals. The soldiers, who are part of the 51st Battalion, received Devoted to Homeland medals for their service in strengthening the defensive capabilities of Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, US Marines also received a special award for their contribution to the Georgian Armed Forces.

In Afghanistan, the Georgian soldiers carry out a range of tasks alongside US Marines, with their main task being to provide security to Bagram Air Base.

Georgian soldiers have served under the Georgian flag for the past four years on a rotation basis in the ISAF mission. A total of 750 Georgia soldiers will serve in the Resolute Support mission, meaning Georgia will remain the largest non-NATO contributor to Afghanistan.

Georgia has assisted the NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan since 2004.