Task Force GTEP puts foreign rounds on target

[thedrifter]

Task Force GTEP puts foreign rounds on target
Submitted by: Marine Forces Europe
Story Identification Number: 200310158224
Story by 1stLt. Justin M. Colvin



KRTSANISI, Georgia(October 15, 2003) -- U.S. Marines began specialized weapons training of Georgian soldiers Oct. 6, at Advanced Operating Base Krtsanisi, as the third phase of tactical training for the Georgia Train and Equip Program charged on.

With the initial tasks of gear issue and weapons familiarization completed during the first three weeks, soldiers of the 111th Light Infantry Battalion from Telavi, Georgia now concentrate on mastering their assigned weapons.

"We start them off at the smallest level out on the ranges and gradually introduce fire and movement until they can employ their weapons safely at the squad, platoon and eventually the company level," said SSgt. Joseph Duenas, chief instructor, GTEP. "We're providing them with the basics so that they have a framework to build on once they have completed the program and are responsible for sustaining their own training."

Fire team and squad level tactics are the focus of training for the next three weeks as the Georgian soldiers progress through a syllabus that will culminate with a company- sized live fire exercise in December. Live fire ranges for the PKM medium machine gun, GP-25 grenade launcher and RPG-7 during this time frame will hone the skills of the individual soldiers tasked with employing these weapons.

Task Force GTEP is in this country to train and equip selected units of the Georgian army in order to enhance the counter-terrorism capabilities of the military here and to increase stability in the Caucasus. As a partner in the Global War on Terrorism, Georgia and the United States are currently involved with military-to-military cooperation that would have been impossible during the Soviet occupation of this country.

"Growing up during the Cold War, I never expected to be training Georgians on their home turf," said Capt. Aaron Cunningham, executive officer, Task Force GTEP. "It's interesting to see the infrastructure that was designed to support the Soviet military in the very location where they trained to fight our country as their primary enemy."

With the current world situation drastically different from the Cold War era, the U.S. Marines and Soldiers of Task Force GTEP have been received with a warm welcome from the Georgian people who are anxious to see economic stability and democracy flourish in this troubled nation. The upcoming Parliamentary elections Nov. 2, will pose a particular challenge for the Georgian government that has already witnessed pre-election violence during the past weeks.

"These soldiers are genuinely dedicated to this training," said SSgt Steve Martinez, instructor, GTEP. "They want to help their country solve its problems and they see this program as a necessary first step for Georgia to take to stabilize and become successful again."



Sgt. Domonic Tino instructs Georgian soldiers on the proper loading procedure of the RPG-7.
Photo by: 1stLt. Justin M. Colvin

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...A?opendocument

Sempers,

Roger