Multinational military exercise Agile Spirit 2018 starts in Georgia

The Agile Spirit 2018 opening ceremony has been held in Senaki, Western Georgia today. The security exercises will last until September 11.

Servicemen from Georgia, US, Bulgaria, Romania, Latvia, Greece, Ukraine, Turkey, Czech Republic and Estonia are taking part in the security exercises which are being conducted under the joint leadership of the Georgian Armed Forces and US Marine Corps. The multinational exercises are commanded by Colonel of the West Command of the Georgian Land Forces Giorgi Matiashvili.

The goal of the exercises is to prepare military personnel integrated into the NATO Response Force for participation in joint response to crisis situations. Photo: MOD

“These exercises are one of the important elements of strategic readiness on the way towards NATO integration,” Minister of Defense Levan Izoria said today while speaking at the Senaki II Infantry Brigade base.

“The NATO integration process is perceived by us as daily readiness and not as strategic patience. This readiness makes us stronger every day and creates real grounds for Georgia’s integration into the alliance. We once again make a step forward with our partners and allies to increase our readiness,“ he added.

Agile Spirit 2018 has been held in Georgia for eight consecutive years. Compared to last year when only 7 countries took part in the exercises, this year there are 10 participant countries with 237 servicemen.

We are glad to announce Exercise #AgileSpirit 2018 kicked off today!

Another multinational, COMMAND-POST EXERCISE with 237 military servicemen from ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

For higher readiness & more interoperability! pic.twitter.com/UcAPyQRC0P

— MOD Georgia (@ModGovGe) 1 September 2018