MAY 2008 ISSUE #11
Military Parade on Independence Day
Georgia celebrated Indepen-
dence Day on May 26 with a spe-
cial military parade on Rustave-
li Avenue. The military parade
began at 11 am with the Geor-
gian national anthem and artil-
lery salvos. 2600 military per-
sonnel marched past the front of
the Parliament.
The military parade was
watched by the Supreme Com-
mander-in-Chief, President of
Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili.
Also in attendance was the
Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia
Ilia II, representatives of the gov-
ernment and parliament, and of-
ficials from the Georgian diplo-
matic corps. Among the distin-
guished guests was the President
of the Republic of Poland, Lech
Kaczyñski.
President Kaczyñski ad-
dressed the parade with a wel-
coming speech and congratulat-
ed military and Georgian citizens
the Independence Day. In his
speech, President Kaczyñski re-
iterated the strong support for
Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integra-
tion aspirations and stressed the
close relationship that exists be-
tween the two countries. He con-
gratulated the people of Georgia
on their national independence
day on behalf of the Republic of
Poland.
The Defence Minister of
Georgia, Davit Kezerashvili,
outlined the importance of Inde-
pendence Day in his statement:
“Independence Day is always
very important. I congratulate all
the people of Georgia on Inde-
pendence Day. I wish all of
Georgia success, strength, unity
and consolidation. Today’s mil-
itary parade is not as large-scale
as previous years, but the infan-
try was represented with new
equipment. Today’s parade is not
aimed at demonstrating our pow-
er. This is just a display by the
Georgian Armed Forces.”
Chief of the Joint Staff of the
Georgian Armed Forces, Col.
Zaza Gogava, attended the mili-
tary parade with his family. He
commented: “I believe that our
Armed Forces do not need to
demonstrate power. It has proved
many times that it is one of the
best equipped and trained armed
forces in the region. Our power
can be witnessed in the partici-
pation of the Georgian Armed
Forces in the peacekeeping op-
erations with the coalition forc-
es in Iraq and other missions
abroad.”
The parade was opened by a
platoon of flag-bearers, followed
by the Land, Air and Naval Forc- Demonstrated military hardware Internal Affairs presented their
es servicemen. The marching included their new fleet of Toy- Kobra armored military hard-
servicemen were followed by a ota Hilux cars, and self-propelled ware.
precession of military hardware. Dana howitzers. The Ministry of Rusudan Tsimakuridze
2 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY MAY 2008 ISSUE #11

US Secretary of the Navy, Donald C. Winter Visited Georgia

On May 15, an eight-person delegation of the US Secretariat of the Navy, led environment in North Arabian gulf to
by Secretary Donald C. Winter, paid an official visit to the Ministry of Defence of assistant somebody export from Iraq,
Georgia. The visit was conducted as part of bilateral cooperation between Geor- we think that maybe beneficial for Geor-
gia and the US which aimed at developing relations between the two countries’ gia to take responsibility for its area of
Naval Forces. the Black sea and really provide the se-
The delegation met with First Deputy Defence Minister Batu Kutelia and Dep- curity for this region.
uty Defence Minister Giorgi Muchaidze. They discussed issues concerning the What can you tell us about the US’s
modernization of the Georgian Naval Forces and the propects for US assistance intent to improve Maritime domain
in development of the Georgian Navy. At the meeting, the sides discussed joint Awareness/Safety and Security capa-
training programs, development of the Georgian Armed Forces combat capabili- bilities of GAF?
ties, and the Naval Force’s interoperabilty with NATO. We believe Maritime Domain Aware-
ness is a necessary underpinning foun-
The Honorable Donald C. Winter, feeling of loss of any US army mem- dation of maritime security this is not a
US Sectretary of the Navy, agreed to an bers killed in combat, I recognize the like what is transpire of many years of
interview with us. same is true here. I want to make sure terms of understanding what happens in
What is the purpose of your visit its known and understood that we share the air, we track airplanes no matter
to Georgia? Are you for the first time that loss. where they are traveling, in the same
in our country? Beyond just noting that relationship, why we need to understand what is hap-
This is my first time in Georgia, and we want to take a look at what we might pening on the seas, and who is traveling
for me its a very good opportunity to be be able to do in the future, and one of where, and quite frankly figuring out
able to do several things. One of them the things we have elected to do is, as very simply who is doing what does it
is to be able to host the reception at John part of our major strategic reassessment expected, and who is perhaps not behav-
Hall, which we’ll do tomorrow. This of our navy, to develop maritime secu- ing in a way which we will normally
marks the 100th Anniversary of the sail- rity partnerships around the world. We expect the people whether they are fish-
ing of the Great White Fleet, which was believe that all of the maritime nations erman, or merchant marine or what have
the first time an American fleet ever will benefit from enhancement to mari- you, you can tell peoples activities very
went around the world. In fact, it was time security that enables us to frame simply, in a more we can understand
the first time an American fleet had re- the proper use of the seas, for everything what is going on maritime environment,
ally traveled far from the United States, from shipping and commerce to fishing more we can help in terms of identify
and we are trying to celebrate and mark and other applications. We think that areas of potential issues, and by the way
this event with series of port calls, vis- Georgia in particular will benefit from this goes not only for security issues, but
its of our ships to nations that we have improved security in this domain, giv- also goes for search and rescue and oth-
particularly good relationships with. The en its very critical position on the Black er safety related aspects, there are sev-
Great White Fleet was, in many ways, Sea, and so one of the things I’m trying eral mechanisms of doing this, one of
established the Navy on the world scene. to do in this visit is to see what we can which is system that’s chief fairly world-
It marked the beginning of our engage- do to help enhance capability and ca- wide deployment sometimes used to be
ment with many nations, everything pacity of your navy and your coastguard called AIS (Automatic Identification
from coalition development to Mediter- to see whether its enough. We can do so that both the officer and enlisted person- are really in hands the Georgian navy. System) it’s basically little radio that
ranean assistance, and disaster relief, in such a way that Georgia can take on nel have, have tremendous leverage on What can you say about Georgia’s large ships are required to carry by the
which we did for the first time with the more security responsibility on the the capabilities that navy can provide, we role as security provider in the Black international agreement, and if you can
Great White Fleet. Black Sea. have in worked through any details or Sea region? properly listen to it from the coastline
So we have done a Black Sea cruise, Georgia and the US are actively co- specifics but we are trying to develop an Georgia has a natural role if you will, you can determine who is in the neigh-
and the timing was very good for port operating in the educational sphere. understanding where Georgia would like first of all just having a significant coast- borhood and what are they doing, you
visits here in Georgia, and a good op- Are there any educational exchange to go in terms of its navy and its coast- line on the black sea which is important can supplement it with radars and we
portunity to note the very special rela- programs or training programs guard, and we have to try to work very in navy itself, but also having several are working right now principally with
tionship that we have with Georgia. We planned for the Georgian naval offic- closely together with the coastguard, and ports, that are becoming increasingly the Georgian coastguard who is imple-
really appreciate the support that we ers? we believe that provides the lot of lever- important as transshipment points for menting many of this techniques as part
have received and we continue to re- We have a good history here, I think age and believe that this type of relation- many goods and in particular for ener- of the international exchange. we believe
ceive in the activities in Iraq, in the War our marines and the army have erected ship also provide a good leverage for gy products, and with that type of situa- very strongly that the best way to
on Terror. This is a very difficult effort in past and developed good relationship, Georgia, but we want to be able to make tion one needs to able to provide the se- achieve the objectives both from the
and requires partners who are willing to and it’s a benefit in both Georgia and the sure we understand what is the direction, curity, because economic development safety point of view and from the secu-
take on significant responsibilities, and United states in Iraq as we effort togeth- what is the areas, what areas of focus are which requires capital, that capital tens rity point of view is to be able to openly
the Georgian Army has done a very good er, I think there are other opportunities going to be empathized in next several of float areas with their security, people exchange this information and so we are
job over there, not without the difficul- on navy side as much as people tend to years, and how can we help you, and who makes investments, people who use taking the lead and terms of helping to
ties of war and casualties. One of the give very quick focus on the hardware of that’s everything from perhaps providing lines of shipment and communication share this kind of exchange and we are
things that I wanted to do today was to the ships and the platforms if you will, in advice on what you may want to do in when they feel comfortable that those looking to work with Georgia as part of
express my sympathy for the loss of life some cases are used to define the navy, terms of future ships, future platforms as will be protected and preserved and in that process.
that occurred a few weeks ago in Iraq, we also believe that it’s very important well as providing some of the education- the same way that we found it neces-
to note that we feel the same way. The to develop the personnel and the skills al and training opportunities, that I think sary to provide very rigorous security David Jokhadze

On board of the USS John L. Hall

MAY 2008 ISSUE #11
US Frigate Visits Batumi Sea Port
On May 14, the USS John L. Hall
(FFG-32), anchored in the Black Sea
port of Batumi. The ship is the twenty-
fourth ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry
class of guided-missile frigates, and is
homeported in Mayport, Florida. The
purpose of the port call of the US frig-
ate was to conduct joint training with
their Georgian colleagues.
American sailors conducted on-
board training for Georgian Navy per-
sonnel on May 16. During the exercis-
es, the Georgian and American service-
National Defence Academy
Celebrates 15th Anniversary
The National Defence Academy of
Georgia celebrated its 15th anniversary
on May 28. Renamed in 2003 after King
David Aghmashenebeli, the Defence
Academy is one of the most prestigious
and important military educational in-
stitutions in Georgia, and plays a cru-
cial role in the training of future offic-
ers. Graduates of the Defence Academy
are actively involved in the defence ref-
ormation process of the Georgian Armed
Forces, and greatly contribute to inter-
national peacekeeping operations.
The military educational institution
was established in 1862 in Tbilisi by
decree of the Russian Defence Minister
Adjutant-General A. Miliukov. The goal
of the military educational institution
was to prepare and train officers of mil-
itary units located in the Caucasus.
The United Defence Academy was
founded in 1993 by order of the Geor-
gian National-Security and Defence
Council. In 2001 it was renamed the Na-
men performed simulated military op-
erations for arresting vessels illegally
present in Georgian territorial waters.
According to First Deputy Defence
Minister Batu Kutelia, who attended the
trainings on the US frigate, the above
mentioned exercises included onboard
search and arrest operations, all proce-
dures specified by NATO protocol.
Kutelia commented: “This training is
very important for the Georgian Navy, as
it includes the elements of interoperabili-
ty. All operations which are provided by
tional Defence Academy.
The Chief of the Na-
tional Defence Academy,
Col. Tariel Londaridze
commented on the role
and importance of the mil-
itary educational institu-
tion: “The academy con-
centrates on education,
training, professionalism
and victory. Its primary
goal is to prepare profes-
sional leaders and com-
manders, who will defend
their homeland. I want to
express my gratitude to the
Minister of Defence of
Georgia, David Kezerash-
vili, to the Chief of the
Joint Staff, Col. Zaza
Gogava and other MoD
and GAF leaders who are supporting us
during our reform process.
“Next year, we plan to renew infra-
structure and the technical base of the
Defence Academy in compliance with
NATO standards. We are going to open
high level courses for staff and battal-
ion Commanders, as well as a staff and
command college. It is a great honor for
me to be in charge of the academy. I
think ongoing reforms and the NATO
integration process is irreversible. The
establishment of a professional and mo-
bile Armed Forces is our final goal.”
The National Defence Academy runs
a number of courses to facilitate the pro-
fessional advancement of military per-
sonnel. Currently, the following cours-
es are running at the Academy:
1. The Army Officers Training
Courses, which include Infantry Train-
ing Courses, Artillery Officers Training
Courses, Logistics Officers Training
Courses, Engineer Officers Military
NATO member countries are integrated
in this exercise. Our military personnel
received positive evaluations. They ac-
complished all their tasks successfully”.
The training onboard the USS John
L. Hall was attended by President of
Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvili, Defence
Minister Davit Kezerashvili, US Secre-
tary of the Navy Donald C. Winter, and
representatives of the Defence Ministry
and Adjara Autonomous Republic.
Nino Rusadze
Training Courses and Mechanized Units
Officers Specialization Courses. Future
officers undergo the Junior Officers
Training Course and Captain’s Career
Courses.
2. Aviation Officers Training Cours-
es.
3. Navy Officers Training Courses
(Batumi).
23 year-old student at the academy,
Joseph Papiashvili, commented: “The
level of study is very high at the acade-
my. I am studying to specialize in radi-
olocation. We have great opportunities
to go abroad and study further, particu-
larly in Ukraine or in Israel. My special-
ty is very important and among the most
strategically important for Georgia’s
defence. I think my knowledge and ex-
perience would be very useful for my
country. So, I want to thank the teach-
ers of the National Defence Academy
who are working so hard for us.”
The National Defence Academy also
has a joint language training centre,
where students can learn various foreign
languages: English, German, French,
Turkish and Russian. Language cours-
es were made available to various mili-
tary units of I, II, III Infantry Brigades,
at Krtsanisi National Training Centre, at
Sachkhere Mountain Training School
and at the Poti Naval Base. Every year,
teachers from the joint language train-
ing centre go abroad to become better
qualified. Books and other study mate-
rials are renewed regularly.
The National Defence Academy con-
tinues to prepare Georgian officers for
high-level positions in the military, and
to enable the Georgian Armed Forces to
continue its reform process so that it may
become more modern, professional and
highly trained.
Nino Gogochishvili
MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
Parliamentary Report of Defence Minister 2008
The Georgian Ministry of Defence
has published its “Parliamentary Report
of Defence Minister 2008”. The docu-
ment is the first of its kind in Georgia,
and is to be published annually hereaf-
ter.
The report is a comprehensive anal-
ysis of the current defence system, and
will be used by the Parliament of Geor-
gia, as well as for NGOs and other in-
terest groups. The document covers a
general review of key issues in Geor-
gian defence policy, describes the cur-
rent situation in the Georgian armed
forces, and reviews reforms in the de-
fence system conducted throughout
2007. It also outlines directions and
challenges for the armed forces in the
foreseeable future.
The Georgian Armed Forces are go-
ing through an important phase of rede-
velopment. Due to reforms conducted
in recent years, we have enhanced the
defence system and force capabilities,
as well as developed the armed forces
Demonstration training at Mukhrovani Base
45 reservists from the combat support-
ing company of the 420th Reserve Tank
Battalion recently conducted a demon-
stration exercise at the Mukhrovani Base.
During the exercise reservists showed
how to react to ambush and take fixed
enemy positions, as well as how to con-
duct mine clearing operations.
The Chief of Staff of the National
Guard Department Col. Levan Asatiani
declared that “the reservists carried out
a standard operation. Their task was to
conduct reconnaissance of the territory
where the main forces should be de-
ployed. They got into an ambush. The
reservists managed to break through the
ambush and to evacuate wounded sol-
Chief of the National Guard of US
State of Georgia visits Georgia
The Chief of the National Guard of
the US State of Georgia, Major General
William T. Nesbitt paid a visit to Geor-
gia. The purpose of the visit was to sup-
port the ongoing reforms at the Nation-
al Guard Department of Georgia.
On May 16, the Head of the Nation-
al Guard Department of Georgia, Col.
Davit Aptisauri, Chief of Staff, Col. Le-
van Asatiani and other high-ranking of-
ficials of the National Guard Department
held a meeting with Major General Wil-
liam T. Nesbitt.
According to the statement of Col.
D. Aptsiauri, the US experience is very
useful and important for Georgia: “I
would like to seize this opportunity to
express our gratitude to General Will-
iam T. Nesbitt for the great interest and
support that he renders to the Georgian
National Guard.”
The US Major General commented:
“I respect the bravery of the Georgian
military serving in Iraq. Units of the
Georgian Guard certainly do not partic-
ipate in coalition operations but coop-
eration with them is a great honor for
us. The American side is ready to ren-
der any assistance and share experience
with our Georgian colleagues for further
3
interoperability with NATO standards.
The Georgian Armed Forces are op-
erating at an unprecedented level of ef-
ficiency and implementing the reforms
at a faster rate than ever. Reforms in the
defence system were based on result-
oriented plans, experiences of our part-
ner countries and their recommendations
in the corresponding areas. As a result,
Georgia is dynamically developing the
NATO integration process; one of the
top priorities of the National Security
Strategy.
The key guideline principle of the
Georgian defence policy is to facilitate
transparency in ongoing processes in the
armed forces, and to establish a tradi-
tion of accountability before our soci-
ety. In this context, the MoD considers
it of high importance to improve and
expand methods whereby the public can
act as a check on the Georgian defence
system.
Kote Elizbarashvili
diers from the battlefield. I am satisfied
with the training level of the reservists.”
Deputy Chief of Staff of the Geor-
gian Armed Forces LTC Aleksandre
Osepaishvili was also satisfied with the
results. “The aim of the training held
today was to teach reconnaissance, med-
ical and engineering platoons how to
merge and coordinate their activities on
the battlefield. It is very important to
conduct such training exercises as all
combat elements are interdependent in
wartime. Each platoon accomplished
their tasks successfully.”
The exercises were part of a larger
18-day reserve training program at
Mukhrovani Base.
development of their professionalism.”
The National Guard of the State of
Georgia made a presentation for the
Georgian military. The US visitors in-
formed their Georgian colleagues about
the structure, tasks and the action plan
of their institution.
As part of the visit, Major General
William T. Nesbitt held meeting with
First Deputy Defence Minister Batu
Kutelia. At the meeting, they discussed
further bilateral cooperation between the
Georgian and US National Guards, im-
plementation of joint training programs,
and prospects for development of vari-
ous projects. Cooperation between the
Georgian peacekeeping contingent lo-
cated in Iraq and the National Guard of
the State of Georgia was addressed as
well.
At the end of the visit Col. Nesbitt
attended military exercises at the 4th
Infantry Brigade. The Chief of the US
National Guard of the State of Georgia,
Major-General William T. Nesbitt left
Georgia on May 17.
The next visit of US Major General
to Georgia is scheduled for June.
Shalva Londaridze
4 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
Estonian Defence Chief Visits Georgia
A four-member delegation from the
Estonian Armed Forces visited Geor-
gia to attend the Military Parade dedi-
cated to Georgian Independence Day.
The Estonian delegation was led by the
Chief of Defence of Estonia, Lieuten-
ant-General Ants Laaneots. In the
framework of the four-day visit, Lieu-
tenant-General Laaneots was received
by the Chief of the Joint Staff of Geor-
gia, Col. Zaza Gogava and the First
Deputy Defence Minister, Batu Kute-
lia. The meeting was attended by the
Defence Attaché of Georgia to the Bal-
tic States and Poland, Maj. Lela Chik-
ovani, Charge D’Affaires of Estonia
Harry Lahtein and military assistant to
the Estonian Chief of Defence, Major
Ain Rekkand.
As was stressed at the meetings, Es-
tonia’s support for Georgia’s Euro-At-
lantic integration is very important and
crucial for our country. As the First Dep-
uty Defence Minister Batu Kutelia
pointed out, the main purpose of the
meeting was to discuss a bilateral coop-
eration plan and the details of its imple-
mentation. “We laid down future plans
where we can have mutually beneficial
cooperation. It is a well-known fact that
Estonia is our strategic partner and in
Georgian Pilots Trained in Ukraine
The young pilots of the Georgian Air
Force have completed another stage of
training. Students underwent training in
the Military Institutions of Ukraine and
Kharkov for eight months where they
received education in the theoretical
bases of combat aircraft management.
During their study in Ukraine each
student passed 25 hours practical train-
ing of L-39 military training aircraft and
Mi-8 helicopter courses.
The students were prepared at the
Kharkov Military Institute on the basis
of an agreement signed by the Minis-
tries of Defence of Georgia and Ukraine.
About 150 military servicemen were
sent to Kharkov and the 30 pilots recent-
ly returned to Georgia. Now they are
undergoing a military pilot preparation
program at the Marneuli military air-
base.
We spoke with the pilots upon their
return from Ukraine to Georgia at Alek-
seevka Military Base.
Sergeant Aleksandre Jinjikhadze
I dreamed of being a pilot since my
childhood. When I was informed about
the competition I made the decision to
test my capabilities and my wish came
true. At present I am learning the spe-
cialization of the military pilot and my
childhood dream has come true.
What can you tell me about the
curriculum?
The curriculum was very interesting
and attractive. We were trained theoret-
ically as well as practically. This is a case
when you have the possibility to relate
Chief of the Joint Staff of Georgia, Col. Zaza Gogava and Chief of Defence of Estonia,
Lieutenant-General Ants Laaneots
many cases it has provided valuable sup-
port for Georgia. We expressed our grat-
itude for Estonian experts who partici-
pated in the investigation of the Tsite-
lubani incident.”
Chief of the Joint Staff, Col. Zaza
Gogava commented on cooperation in
the military education sphere: “We have
yourself to the virtual world in reality.
My friends and I underwent an eight
month training course under this princi-
ple. I’d like to use this opportunity and
express my gratitude to the Ukrainian
side for their assistance. Thanks also to
the leadership of the Ministry of Defence
of Georgia and the Joint Staff. Their sup-
port allowed us to get the primary edu-
cation of a military pilot in the Ukraine.
Maybe this education will essen-
tially support your further profession-
alism…
I have to learn much yet in order to
become a professional pilot. I hope the
time will come soon when I realize all
my knowledge and fly a combat aircraft.
We have mentioned professional-
ism. What is your opinion of what a
professional pilot is like?
Even a second has a decisive impor-
tance in the air. According to this a pilot
has to possess lightning fast thinking and
developed reflexes as the pilot has to
manage not only the aircraft but also
him/herself.
Can you express your emotions
during the minutes when the aircraft
is taking off?
Before I shifted my career to the mil-
itary I had graduated from Tbilisi State
University. I am an oceanographer and
the underwater world is well known for
me. Now I am learning about air space
and I can draw many parallels between
these two elements. Being in the air is
as romantic as being under water.
Let’s return to reality from roman-
ticism. What kind of curriculum are
you preparing now?
At present I am undergoing training
courses at Marneuli Military Base with
my friends. Georgian instructors instruct
us in theoretical and practical trainings.
I have carried out several flights with
their assistance and as the instructors tell
me, I am going forward…
Corporal Zurab Mironadze
I have never thought about anything
other than a military career. Thus, I al-
ways wanted to be a pilot. Even today I
remember constructing model airplanes
in my childhood and the happiness I got
from this.
I have the same feeling now but with
a basic difference. The toy aircraft has
been changed into a real combat plane
which I can fly and carry out combat
discussed various issues. Discussions
focused on education and training and I
should mention the simulation educa-
tional systems that have been installed
in the Krtsanisi National Training Cen-
tre with the assistance of the Estonian
side. As for future plans we hope that
we already have two places in the Bal-
tasks.
Your nostalgia, romanticism and
great enthusiasm are not very char-
acteristic of a military serviceman.
When did you decide to serve in the
army?
Last year the Ministry of Defence of
Georgia announced a contest for mili-
tary-air specialty. I made the decision
to serve in the Georgian Armed Forces
at that time. But this is not the main rea-
son for my decision. The real reason of
my serving in the Armed Forces is be-
cause of the ongoing reforms within this
structure. The Georgian Army is devel-
oping day by day. I have a great desire
to be a participant of this progress with
my friends.
Being a pilot is one of the popular
professions in the army. How do you
realize this popularity from the
sky…?
Wearing a uniform is popularity it-
self. I am very pleased when I go out in
the street and society regards me with
such favor. This was a very difficult
thing to dream even several years ago.
We often see advertisements which
offer citizens the chance to serve in
the army with contract conditions.
You are one who is serving in the army
by contract. What can you tell me
about the working conditions? Does
the advertisement perfectly reflect the
existing reality in the army?
The verbal condition of the adver-
tisement is depicting the activity in the
Georgian army. I can say that I have suf-
fered this reality myself. I have been in
tic Defence College and we are eager to
have even more Georgian military ser-
vicemen there. The Estonian side has
promised to fully support us.”
According to the Chief of Defence
of Estonia, Lieutenant-General Ants
Laaneots, “The main purpose of my visit
here is to understand how we can sup-
port Georgia as an ally. I have never been
in Georgia before. It is my first visit. We
come from a common historical back-
ground. We were both part of the Soviet
Union for a long time. After the estab-
lishment of independence we tried to
develop a normal democratic society. It
is very useful for you to know how this
process works in Estonia. We are small
nations; small countries and we must
support each other because it is very dif-
ficult to survive alone in this world for
small country.”
Speaking about defence reforms,
Lieutenant-General Laaneots under-
scored the ongoing defence reforms in
Georgia: “Your Chief of Defence has
given some overview about the reforms
and it is very impressive. You have
achieved a very big success in a very
short period of time. And of course the
main problem for small countries is al-
ways leadership, and its competence. I
the army for a month and I have under-
gone training courses not only in Geor-
gia but also abroad. I am practicing a
foreign language, have a high salary
with increasing perspectives in the fu-
ture and, first of all, I am serving my
country. So anyone who looks at the
army skeptically is very mistaken and
instead of criticism it is better to serve
in the Armed Forces. He will be accept-
ed as a member of a large family.
Corporal Eka Kvlividze
I am very happy that my childhood
dream came true and I am preparing to
become a military pilot. I concluded a
contract and joined the Georgian Armed
Forces. The conditions are even more
impressive than they seemed before. I
hope that with the assistance of the in-
structors I’ll get a relevant education and
I’ll become a professional military pilot.
You have received the training in
the Ukraine, but before that you un-
derwent the training on Natakhtari
airdrome…
The training program that I attended
in the Ukraine was very impressive.
They have all necessary conditions to
pass a pilot through a high school of
training. For eight months Georgian stu-
MAY 2008 ISSUE #11
mean that you have problems with the
creation of an officer’s corps, as we had,
we still have. The second is a lack of
money as always. If you want to have
modern equipment and armaments for
the Armed Forces, you must spend a lot
of money. And for a small nation it is
always a big problem to find that mon-
ey.”
The Estonian Chief of Defence eval-
uated Georgia’s NATO integration pros-
pects as well: “I have participated in the
Bucharest Summit and I know the whole
discussion about the Georgian MAP. But
I guess the NATO summit decision is
much stronger than the MAP itself. You
really have a declaration that Georgia
will be a member of NATO. It means
this is merely a question of time. In De-
cember the Ministers of Foreign Affairs
will discuss this question. ‘Intensive
engagement’ is one of the significant
steps towards NATO integration. The
next one is the MAP. I guess if you con-
tinue on the same way, if you stabilize
the internal political situation here after
the elections and if you don’t have any
conflicts – which may be provoked from
the Russian side – you will succeed.”
The Estonian delegation left Geor-
gia on May 29.
dents received theoretical as well as
practical training and earned high eval-
uations from the Ukrainian instructors.
As far as I am informed the host
nation was especially impressed with
the training level of female pilots…
From the very beginning everyone
was skeptical towards us but we man-
aged to destroy the stereotypes related
to female pilots. We were doing our best
not to lag behind the boys and we re-
turned to Georgia with the highest esti-
mation.
What programs are you undergo-
ing at this stage?
From June we’ll pass through prac-
tical trainings and get acquainted with
the technical characteristics of the L-39.
Then we’ll conduct control flights as
well.
It is possible that the study flights
will be changed to the combat flights,
besides the fact that a priority for
Georgia is defensive doctrine…
I’m not ready to conduct a combat
flight yet but I believe that time will
come when I’ll be a professional pilot
who will maximally protect the interests
of my homeland.
Shalva Londaridze