New wave of Georgian soldiers leaves for NATO peace mission in Afghanistan

Georgia’s Defence Ministry has held a farewell ceremony for Georgian soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Brigade of the 31st Battalion who are leaving for Afghanistan on a peacekeeping mission. 

The soldiers will replace the 2nd Infantry Brigade of the 23rd Battalion of the Georgian Armed Forces, whose six-month term in the NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan has come to an end. 

Head of Georgia’s General Staff General-Major Vladimer Chachibaia and the US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly addressed the soldiers. 

US Ambassador Ian Kelly praised Georgian soldiers. Photo by Ministry of Defence press office. 

They wished the Georgian servicemen a successful mission and a safe return to their home country. 

Ambassador Kelly stressed the professionalism of Georgian soldiers and once again reiterated the US’s continued support for Georgia. 

Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Brigade will be tasked to ensure the security of the Bagram aviation base. 

Georgian soldiers will stay in Afghanistan for six months. Photo by Ministry of Defence press office. 

• Georgia is the largest non-NATO contributor to the Resolute Support mission with 885 troops.
• The Resolute Support mission was a follow-on task from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission, to which Georgia contributed about 750 troops.

Georgia has lost 32 soldiers within the NATO peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan.