US State Department security analyst:"Georgia can be assigned any mission, including direct combat"

Georgian soldiers’ high standards, professionalism and commitment to global peace have earned praise from a United States (US) Department of State expert.

A  story about Georgia’s international military role stated Georgian soldiers "can be assigned any mission, including direct combat,” indicating the highest level of military readiness of Georgian servicemen. 

The author Rennie Silva, a security assistance program analyst in the Office of Security Assistance within the Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, said Georgians have always shown eagerness to protect international peace. 

Whenever the US has asked nations to contribute to international security, Georgia has answered the call. Whether in Afghanistan or Iraq, this small country at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia has stepped up to support global security,” Silva wrote on the US State Department’s official website.

Silva emphasised Georgia’s commitment to international peacekeeping missions and noted 31 Georgians had lost their lives in Afghanistan and a further 282 had been wounded in action.

The expert said since 1998, Georgia had received more than $220 million USD in Foreign Military Financing (FMF), and the US Department of State had specifically used FMF funding to provide equipment, training, and advisory support to strengthen Georgia’s ability to care for its wounded warriors.

On a final note Silva said the US’ efforts to help Georgia build institutions to care for servicemen injured in the line of duty reflected the two countries’ continuing commitment to solidarity on and off the battlefield. 

Read the full blog here.