NATO-Georgia Exercise 2016 tests interoperability of Georgian and allied forces

Georgian and NATO flags on top of the Sakrebulo (local government) building in Tbilisi. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Agenda.ge, 07 Nov 2016 - 18:52, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgia is preparing to host a major military exercise to be jointly conducted with NATO from November 10-19.

Today Georgia’s Minister of Defence Levan Izoria said this exercise will be the first multinational crisis response training conducted by the Georgian Armed Forces (GAF) with NATO nations and partners.

The Brigade Level computer assisted exercise is part of the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package.

"NATO-GEO 16 is a landmark exercise for Georgia and a significant milestone in strengthening NATO-Georgia military cooperation,” Georgia’s Defence Ministry said.

It is the first NATO-Georgia joint multinational brigade-level, Computer Assisted, Command Post exercise, which is included in NATO exercises list.”
The exercise will test the interoperability of Georgian, allied and partner forces, as well as command and control capabilities."

The NATO-Georgia Exercise 2016 was one of the outcomes decided at the 2014 NATO Summit in Wales, and reemphasised at the Warsaw Summit 2016.

It’s paving the way for a reform and development of capabilities for the Georgia Armed Forces,” the training’s official webpage said.

The training exercises, with the exception of the opening and closing ceremony, will be held at the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Centre (JTEC), located just outside capital Tbilisi.

The exercise constitutes a great opportunity for NATO and partner nations to share skills and know-how with Georgian Defence Forces, who are already providing significant contribution to regional, and hence, the Alliance's collective security,” the event’s webpage said.

NATO will be represented by Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation as Officer Scheduling the Exercise (OSE), Joint Force Training Centre Bydgoszcz as Officer Directing the Exercise (ODE) and Land Command Izmir.

The Deputy Chief of General Staff of the GAF will assume responsibilities as the Officer Conducting the Exercise (OCE).