New Phase of US-Funded Military Program Launched

(Tbilisi February 1, 2003. Civil Georgia) – Ceremony of the launch of the new phase of the US-sponsored Georgia Train-and-Equip Program (GTEP) was held at the Krtsanisi military field, near Tbilisi today.

The military instructors from the US Marine Task Force start training of the members of 16th Mountain Battalion of the Georgian National Guard .

Georgian State Minister, US ambassador in Georgia, leadership of the Georgian Defense Ministry and other officials attended the ceremony.

“The GTEP has captured high-level attention from Georgian and American governments, and even the governments of your neighboring countries. It has already received great acclaim and accolades, and even in the early stages was called a success story that may serve as a model for future endeavors,” Richard Miles, US ambassador in Georgia stated at the ceremony.

The 16th Mountain Battalion is the second Georgian military unit which will undergo US training program. The first Georgian commandos graduated the GTEP last December. Training of the each battalion lasts four months.

The other two battalions of the Georgian armed forces will also be trained in framework of the 64 million USD program.

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