Allied air command hosts first workshop with georgian partners
RAMSTEIN, Germany – From 30 July to 1 August 2019 Allied Air Command hosted the first workshop with Georgian Defence Force partners at their headquarters in Ramstein, Germany. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss how Georgia’s Air Defence Action Plan can be improved, to support Georgia’s air surveillance capabilities development and to set milestones for the future cohesive partnership to progress.
Georgia sent four staff officers and a Ministry of Defence representative to the headquarters to discuss possible adjustments and improvements to the Georgian plan. The workshop was held in the framework of the Substantial NATO Georgia Package – a set of initiatives endorsed at the September 2014 Wales Summit, aimed at strengthening Georgia’s defence capabilities and developing closer security cooperation and interoperability with NATO Members.
The main focus of the workshop is to strengthen Georgia’s air surveillance capabilities, to maintain their air sovereignty, and to operate in line with NATO on a technical and procedural basis. In doing so the partnership can grow once both Georgia and NATO can operate in a joint familiarised environment with the same procedures.
“I am honoured to support Georgia in developing their air surveillance capabilities under the umbrella of the Substantial NATO Georgia Package,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ricky Kerch, the leader of the workshop. “The progress we make here is building the future of NATO-Georgia cooperation in the air domain.”
The intent of NATO’s Military Partnership Programme is to develop, maintain and strengthen NATO-Partner relations, whilst achieving mutual trust and building confidence. This evolution is critical to enhancing interoperability between Georgian military forces and NATO. Through this evolution and future Military Partnership activities with the Georgian Air Force, Allied Air Command remains committed in developing opportunities that enhance cooperative security.
