Marines share combat experience with Republic of Georgia counterparts

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Vitaliy Rusavskiy | Georgian troops with 31st Light Infantry Battalion communicate with local villagers that gathered for a protest against a civilian casualty that happened during a recent raid at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany. More than 1,400 Georgian troops from 31st and Batumi Light Infantry Battalions complete their mission rehearsal exercises as a part of the Georgia Deployment Program before their deployment to Afghanistan.  

HOHENFELS, BW, GERMANY

08.24.2013

Courtesy Story

Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command

HOHENFELS, Germany - More than 1,800 Marines and Georgian troops from the Republic of Georgia’s 31st and Batumi Light Infantry Battalions are scheduled to complete the final Mission Rehearsal Exercise (MRE) after more than 6 months of combined training in the Republic of Georgia and Germany. The final leg of the training takes place at the Joint Multinational Training Center in Hohenfels, Germany, July 29 to Aug. 29, where Georgian troops complete platoon, company and battalion level drills ranging from mounted convoy patrols to building rapport with the local population in simulated towns.

“This MRE represents the next step in the evolution of the GDP-ISAF,” said Col. Matt Baker, commanding officer of Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group. “Trained Georgian observer controllers and staff officers from the Georgian Training command participated in the exercise alongside U.S. Army and Marine counterparts; these soldiers, mostly veterans from past deployments to Afghanistan, provided relevant input to the battalions being evaluated and ensured the best possible training for the next deployment.”

The MRE has been designed to replicate the operations in Afghanistan with South West Regional Command area of operations and provide scenario that evaluates Georgian battalions’ ability to employ kinetic and non-kinetic means to achieve the commander’s desired effects on the enemy, the population and partnered Afghan forces.

“Through the training, we gain experience to successfully operate with partnering units following the same tactics, techniques and procedures that are used in the Marine Corps,” said Republic of Georgia Capt. David Charkseliani, Batumi Light Infantry Battalion executive officer. “The exercise also plays a key role to our successful mission if Afghanistan.”

Amongst the key personnel in this training evolution are the Marine Corps observer controllers/mentor trainers. They have spent more than 6 months building the young Georgian soldiers from the ground up to gain trust and confidence, as well as break the cultural barrier in order to effectively carry out the mission. This will be the first deployment to Afghanistan for about 70 percent of the Georgian troops currently training.

“The MRE is our last chance to work out any issues we might have before these guys deploy to Afghanistan, we have a vast interest in seeing these guys do well,” said Sgt. James J. Rovere, an observer controller for Company C., Batumi Light Infantry Battalion. “We want everyone to be successful in their mission and to bring everyone home safe.”

The Mission Rehearsal Exercise will test Republic of Georgia’s Batumi and 31st Light Infantry Battalions on effectiveness of marksmanship, radio communications, key leader engagement, improvised explosive device sweeps, command operations, mounted vehicle patrols, medical evacuation, enemy engagement and overall battalion readiness. The final week of the MRE culminates all the training Georgian troops have attained during the past 6 months. They have to work as self-sustained units to complete the final exercises.

“I believe they came a long way, I just came back from a patrol where they did great offensive actions against the enemy,” said Gunnery Sgt. Nicolas J. Lentz, observer controller/mentor trainer for personal security detail, Company D., Batumi Light Infantry Battalion. “The training effectiveness and all of the scenarios we are seeing here is definitely playing a big role on what they are going to be doing in Afghanistan.”

Georgian forces have been training with the Marine Corps since 2009 as a part of the Georgia Deployment Program – International Security Assistance Force (GDP-ISAF). It was originally scheduled for two years but due to the great success, the program has been extended through 2014.

• Date Taken: 08.24.2013
• Date Posted: 08.25.2013 10:52
• Story ID: 112562
• Location: HOHENFELS, BW, DE