Agile Spirit multinational exercise kicks off in Georgia today, hosting 14 NATO members, allies

The Agile Spirit 2019 international exercise has officially kicked off at the 2nd Infantry Brigade of Senaki, in western Georgia today.

Georgia will be hosting the military drills for two weeks starting today, which involves more than 3,000 soldiers from 14 NATO members and allies, including: Georgia, US, UK, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Norway, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.

Gearing up for #AgileSpirit 19, check out 2/2CR Soldiers as they work with supporting squadrons and contractors to unload vehicles at the ⚓️ port ???? in Poti, Georgia, July 24, 2019.
???????????????? #AlwaysReady #ArmyReady #StrongEurope pic.twitter.com/mlk9KePBwl

— 2d Cavalry Regiment (@2dCavalryRegt) July 25, 2019

The exercise will be held at three locations – 2nd Infantry Brigade in Senaki, Orpolo and Vaziani fire ranges. The drills in 2018 — held in Georgia’s west for the first time — involved 10 participant nations.

This is the ninth time Georgia is hosting the exercise, which aims to strengthening interoperability, training and improving operational capabilities of participants during planning and execution of operations in real time.

It also aims to helping to ensure a stable and secure environment across the Black Sea region, the Georgian Defense Ministry reported.

2/2CR Soldiers safely arrive at the Senaki Air Base to prep for port ⚓️ cargo ???? downloading during #AgileSpirit 19 in Senaki, Georgia, July 23, 2019 ???????????????? #AlwaysReady #ArmyReady #StrongEurope pic.twitter.com/uqqUHDPTkr

— 2d Cavalry Regiment (@2dCavalryRegt) July 23, 2019

Agile Spirit has increased in scope and numbers since it was first held in 2011. The exercise is one of two multinational drills held in Georgia annually, with Noble Partner being the other.

The exercise led by the Ministry of Defence of Georgia and the United States European Command will take place through August 9.