KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The Georgian Special Mountain Battalion ended their seven-month force-protection mission in southern Afghanistan with a ceremony at their compound on Kandahar Airfield, Oct. 31, 2014.
The exit of the Mountain Battalion will formally end the country’s mission in southern Afghanistan.
In a speech during the ceremony, U.S. Marine Maj. Mark Saye, the Georgian Liaison Team officer in charge, thanked the Georgians for their successful mission of providing force protection throughout the Train, Advise and Assist Command-South operational area.
“Your direct contribution to the International Security Assistance Force mission in Kandahar, Uruzgan, and Zabul provinces greatly impacted the safety and security of over 20,000 military and civilian members throughout the area of operations,” he said.
Saye added that he was honored to have worked hand in hand with the Mountain Battalion over the past 14 months in Georgia, Germany and in Afghanistan.
“We have made lasting relationships that will never be forgotten between the GLT and the battalion…You have served honorably and with dignity. You should be proud of your accomplishments and how well you represented Georgia and their service to the ISAF mission,” said Saye.
The Mountain Battalion’s commander, Maj. Giorgi Kobitze, also spoke during the ceremony.
“Today is an important day for the Georgian Mountain Battalion as we officially complete the mission in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. During the last seven months we have successfully accomplished multiple operations in Kandahar province at eight different forward operating bases,” he said.
Kobitze also thanked the Mountain Battalion’s partner forces, the U.S. Marines, and Brig. Gen. Douglas Gabram, the TAAC-South commander, for their support over the duration of their deployment.
“We appreciate that you are taking part in the today’s ceremony. It is tremendously motivating for our personnel. Our battalion will always be grateful to you,” he said.
Kobitze also congratulated the soldiers of the Mountain battalion for the completion of their mission and a job well done.
After his speech Kobitze bestowed awards to the battalion’s Marine partners for their dedication and support to the Georgian mission.
Following the ceremony, Gabram said that the Georgians should be very proud and honored of what they achieved.
“We worked side by side with each other, not only in Kandahar but throughout RC-South, and they did absolutely outstanding,” he said.
To conclude the ceremony, the Georgian flag was lowered one last time symbolizing the end of mission.