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MCTAG Marines prepare Georgian soldiers for Afghanistan

US Marine Corps News

4/8/2011
By Gunnery Sgt. Alexis Mulero, Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group

TBLISI, Republic of Georgia -- The Georgian 31st Light Infantry Battalion (31st LIB) kicked off its six-month training package prior to deploying to Afghanistan in support of the Georgia Deployment Program – International Security Assistance Force (GDP-ISAF) this week at Krtsanisi Training Area, Republic of Georgia.

The Georgia Deployment Program (GDP) is a two-year program supported by Marine Corps Forces Europe that has trained and equipped four Georgian infantry battalions to serve alongside Marines from I and II Marine Expeditionary Force in the Helmand Providence of Afghanistan.

“It is important for Georgia to be part of this worthy peace-keeping operation along with Coalition Forces,” said Georgian Lt. Col. Alexander Tugushi, commanding officer of 31st LIB.

This is the second time the 31st LIB has prepared for deployment as part of the program. They were the first battalion to serve with the leathernecks in Afghanistan from April through November 2010.

“This program also allows the Georgians to train and fight alongside a legendary military organization such as the U.S. Marine Corps,” Tugushi said. “Everyone knows Marines are always at the tip of the spear. They are known for being in the front line of any operation and we wanted to partner with them in this noble cause.”

According to a letter written from Army Gen. David Patraeus to the Georgian Ministry of Defense on March 30, 2011, the Georgian battalions have been integral to the growing success of our (Coalition Forces) efforts to improve security and stability in Afghanistan and that much of the credit is attributed to the outstanding leadership of Tugushi and the other Georgian battalion commanders.

Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group is the lead element for the planning, coordination, and execution of the program. MCTAG is a unit that specializes in conducting security cooperation (SC) training and events in support of regional Marine force headquarters, and the GDP is the longest and largest mission to date according to their commanding officer.

“The strategic value of preparing a professional partner nation to fight alongside Marines in Afghanistan cannot be overstated,” said Marine Col. Christoper McCarthy, commanding officer of MCTAG. “The Georgians have stepped up, volunteered and want to be active partners. We are proud to be part of preparing them for this mission.”

In addition to MCTAG, the GDP also receives support from Marine Corps operating forces, which provide Marines and Sailors to help instruct Georgian soldiers throughout every phase of the individual and unit-level pre-deployment training.

“The Georgian Training Team is here to advise and mentor the 31st Light Infantry Battalion as they prepare for combat operations with U.S. Marine Corps units in support of NATO missions in Afghanistan,” said Marine Capt. Julio Maessen, operations officer, Georgia Training Team. “During our time at KTA, we are overseeing and facilitating their pre-deployment training while coordinating subject matter experts (SME) from Marine Corps operating forces and supporting establishments.”

Maessen who is a native of San Antonio added, “We also interface directly with the Georgian Land Forces, Office of Defense Cooperation, Marine Corps Forces Europe, and Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group while assisting Georgia in building up their capacity and capability to professionally train their forces.”