• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Marines, Georgian infantry brigade participate in combined training exercise

US Marine Corps News

3/17/2012 By Cpl. Paul D. Zellner II, Marine Forces Europe

VAZIANI TRAINING AREA, Georgia — Marines and sailors with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task, Force Black Sea Rotational Force-12 battled the wind and snow alongside their counterparts in the Georgian 4th Infantry Brigade during Exercise Agile Spirit-12 on Vaziani Training Area in Georgia, March 12-21.

After the opening ceremony the field operations began with a troop movement to the bivouac site where the service members of SPMAGTF BSRF-12 would be living and training for the next seven days. The snow fell continuously throughout the first night as the troops settled in to their new home under the snow-capped Georgian mountain ranges.

“Agile Spirit allows us to hone our skills as a Special-Purpose MAGTF, while allowing our Georgian brethren to prepare for their role in future [International Security Assistance Forces] deployments,” said Maj. Brent McClellan, SPMAGTF BSRF-12 operations officer.

As the snow stopped falling and the sun rose on the first training day the Marines, sailors and Georgian soldiers could already be seen battling the cold morning air to shave and prepare for their first combined training experiences with each other.

"This is my first time training with the Marines," said Cpl. Chabuka Qizikelashvili, 22, grenadier, Company A, 42nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade. "The training is very similar to what we do, just our culture is different."

The training area, set on a former air base, includes numerous weapons ranges and acres of land well suited for conducting military training. Upon movement to the ranges, the training immediately began with Marine-led classes on weapons safety, shooting positions and range operations.

“These classes will help keep everyone safe and give them a stronger foundation to become a better fighting force for years to come,” said Lance Cpl. Justin Woods, an instructor and a reconnaissance Marine with 1st Platoon, Ground Combat Element, SPMAGTF BSRF-12.

Upon completion of the classes, it was time to put the words into action. The Marines and Georgian soldiers split up for combined training on their individual assigned weapons, ranging from the M4 Carbine, mortars, machine guns and designated marksmanship rifles.

The first three days included simultaneous live-fire shoots. The Georgian soldiers practiced their weapons training as the Marines, acting as range coaches, fine-tuned their skills. While on a break from shooting the soldiers were taught a condensed combat lifesaver course by the Navy corpsmen attached to SPMAGTF BSRF-12.

"We have a little different way of doing things but we all learn by training and experience, so it’s good for us to share," said Sgt. Besiki Gabeshuili, 26, Company Sergeant, Company A, 42nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade. "This is my third time doing this type of training with the Marines and we are very excited because the experience helps prepare us to work together in the future."

The Marines and soldiers took a break from the ranges on the fourth day for weapons maintenance, hygiene and to prepare for the second half of the training. During the next three days Marines and Georgian soldiers participated in specialized classes consisting of cordon and search techniques, convoy tactics, counter improvised explosive device tactics, convoy operations and the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.

Displaying the Marine Corps motto of, ‘Any clime and place’, the Marines and Georgians trained side-by-side in an austere environment as temperatures dropped below 30 degrees and wind gusts reached 70 miles per hour.

The varying weather was comparable to the harsh winters in Afghanistan which Marines and Georgian soldiers have endured together.

“This will be very useful for us because we will be working with Marines in Afghanistan so this training gives us a good experience to learn each other’s ways,” said Qizikelashvili. Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Brigade will be deploying next year in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as part of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan after completing all necessary pre-deployment training.

“The way we train and how we fight are important for them to know especially if they will be fighting alongside us in Afghanistan,” said Woods.

The Black Sea Rotational Force is a Special-Purpose MAGTF with limited crisis response capabilities deployed to the region to enhance interoperability, promote regional stability and build camaraderie amongst the forces. Agile Spirit-12 is part of the Black Sea Rotational Force-12’s 6-month deployment which includes training exercises with 19 nations planned throughout the Black Sea, Balkan and Caucasus region. Upon completion of Agile Spirit-12, the Marines and sailors of BSRF-12 will re-deploy to Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania and continue their assigned mission.