U.S. Marines to Train Georgian Battalion for Afghanistan (August 14, 2009)
The Government of Georgia will contribute a Georgian
infantry battalion to Afghanistan for service under U.S. command in the
international Security Assistance Force (ISAF). The battalion will deploy to
Afghanistan in spring 2010. To help prepare for this mission, the U.S. is
sending Marine Corps trainers to Georgia on August 15 to implement a training
program that will commence on September 1. The training will focus on skill
sets necessary for Georgian forces to operate alongside ISAF partner forces in
a counterinsurgency environment in Afghanistan. No weapons will be provided to
the Georgians as part of this training. Georgia's offer of a battalion to serve
alongside NATO and ISAF partners is a vital contribution to the mission of
bringing stability and security to Afghanistan.