Georgia Guardsmen Attend Black Sea Conference

Two Georgia Army Guardsmen recently were among a group of delegates who met in the Republic of Georgia to help the Georgians developed the scenario, timeline and plans for an upcoming training exercise in the former Soviet Bloc nation.

Major Matthew Saxton and Command Sgt. Maj. Lance Rygmyr attended the Black Sea Initiative (BSI) along with 75 officials from six of the nations surrounding the Black Sea and nearly two-dozen Georgian governmental officials.

The Georgians host the second annual BSI table-top exercise (sponsored by the US Army Corps of Engineers) in early December. The exercise tests the nation’s ability to respond to a host of emergency situations including terrorist attacks using chemical agents. By design, as the events unfold, Georgia’s ability to react will be overwhelmed, and they will call on the other BSI nations for assistance. The exercise will take place in the Black Sea port city of Batumi on the Georgian-Turkish border.

Lieutenant Gen. David B. Poythress, the state of Georgia’s Adjutant General, spoke at the event. Many times in his address, Poythress praised the Republic of Georgia for its willingness to put forth the effort to host such a major international exercise, and for its great progress in preparing for emergency situations before they happen.

If you have skills you think might be valuable to the Georgia’s state partnership with the Republic of Georgia and want to lead a partnership event for the State Partnership Program, please contact Saxton at matthew.saxton@us.army.mil or Maj. Elizabeth Baker at elizabeth.baker@garobi.ang.af.mil