U.S. Marine Forces, Europe to begin Georgia Deployment Program-International Security Assistance For

The Georgian Minister of Defense will contribute an infantry battalion to serve under the United States supporting the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

In order to prepare the Georgian unit for deployment in March 2010 and follow-on deployments, U.S. Marine Forces, Europe, will begin a training program called the Georgia Deployment Program-International Security Assistance Force or GDP-ISAF. Marine Corps trainers will begin to arrive in the Georgia on/or about Aug.15 and will commencement with training on/or about Sept. 1.

GDP-ISAF is a two-year program consisting of four six-month rotations and culminating with a Mission Rehearsal Exercise at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany.

Each rotation is comprised of six phases. The phases are designed to support training at all levels, from basic first aid to the more advanced, battalion staff-level planning process. At the end of the six month train-up, the Georgian infantry battalions will be trained, equipped and integrated with U.S. forces in order to conduct operations in a counterinsurgency environment.

Georgia's offer to serve alongside NATO and ISAF partners is a vital contribution to the mission of bringing peace and security to Afghanistan.

The latest information on the deployment can be found at the Georgia Deployment Program page.

CAPT Ed Buclatin, USN
EUCOM Director of Public Affairs