Marines and Georgians move to the field [Marines at the base bombed by Russia today]

USMC Force Reserve ^ | 8-8-08

[SJackson]

Marines and Georgians move to the field Story and photos by Lance Cpl. Edward H. Currie VAZIANI TRAINING BASE, Georgia — Marine Corps camps, bases and stations are all across the globe and are a necessary and fundamental part of Corps stability. However, no matter where a Marine calls home, it’s in the field where the real training takes place. Marines from Company L, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, and members of the Georgian Armed Forces departed the Vaziani Training Base and moved several miles into the hills July 16 to begin training the Georgian Armed Forces in basic infantry tactics. “The base here is nice, but the field is awesome,” said Lance Cpl Daniel S. Heitger, a mortarman with Co. L. “With all the mountains around us, it’s motivating,” said Heitger, “I understand why the Georgians fight so hard to protect it.” The day started with the staging of Marine and Georgian gear at the barracks. After a quick gear check, all the Marines, Georgians and equipment were loaded onto trucks and driven to the hillside. “I personally think that their support is motivating for us,” said Sgt. Rollie D. Cramer, a combat marksmanship trainer with Co. L. “These soldiers are here to train for their future deployment in Iraq. It’s great to assist them in training for their future rolls in Iraq and in Georgia.” The vehicles arrived at the service members’ new home after a 30-minute ride where the temperature rose to almost 100 degrees. “This is a great opportunity for the Georgians and Americans to train together," said Cramer, "and for us to teach them some of the infantry tactics which have made the Marines so successful.” VAZIANI TRAINING BASE, Georgia-Approximately 400 Marines and Georgian Forces joined together for this part of Immediate Response 2008. The field camp was assembled in under an hour.

VAZIANI TRAINING BASE, Georgia-Hungry Marines and Georgians finally arrive at the end of the chow line giving them their first hot meal of the day and allowing them to continue their conversations over dinner. Hot chow was brought in on trucks and Marines and Georgians mixed together and began getting to know each other. “I originally thought the language barrier would make it difficult for us to train them, but because of our similarities it is much easier than expected,” said Cramer. With the help of translators, the line of service members asked each other questions on every subject imaginable. The sounds of laughter and smiles on faces were everywhere in the long line of hungry Marines and Georgian soldiers who all seemed ecstatic to be around each other. “I feel happy to be here,” said Cpl. Lasha Managadze, group commander of the Georgian Forces. “I look forward to what the Marines will teach us.” Once chow was over, the service members retired to their tents to get the much needed rest for the strenuous training ahead of them. VAZIANI TRAINING BASE, Georgia-The language barrier can be a difficult thing to overcome. Marines and Georgian soldiers spend time teaching each other words and phrases in their native tongue.

 

[SJackson]

Sorry, the pictures. Correct date of the article is July, 2008. The training activity is ongoing, we've been there for 6 years.

[tsmith130]

Marines from Company L, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, and members of the Georgian Armed Forces departed the Vaziani Training Base and moved several miles into the hills July 16 to begin training the Georgian Armed Forces in basic infantry tactics.

This says July 16th. Are the Marines still there?

[SJackson]

 Ceremony opens Immediate Response 2008

 

Junior 3/25 Marines tell their stories

 

3/25 Marines meet, greet the Georgian army

 

[griswold3]

Experts Warn Russia Seeks Influence Over Vast Caspian Oil Reserves
By Brian Padden
Washington
24 December 2007
http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2007-12/2007-12-24-voa38.cfm

[MARKUSPRIME]

Its on if they bomb our marines.

[SJackson]

This says July 16th. Are the Marines still there?

Don't know for sure, but I'd assume so. I don't know how close the Vaziani Training Base is to the air base, but I believe we've been training Georgian troops there in 2002 or 2003, so I suspect we have some continuing presence, though this particular mission has probably ended. Someone will be along who knows for sure.

[SJackson]

Could you change my headline comment from at to near, or US training facility near, I shouldn’t have assumed they were at the facility attacked.

[penelopesire]

I heard a report this morning that they left yesterday. Hope it’s true.

[TexasGunLover]

Its on if they bomb our marines.

Absolutely not... there is no way we would take action against Russia short of them attacking the continental United States.

Our government today is not the government of the cold war and would never take such a bold action to protect the United States.

[SJackson]

I heard a report this morning that they left yesterday. Hope it’s true.

I sure hope so, we had about 1,000 troops there for the exercise. I believe we have a small permanent presence which was my thought when I posted this. Hopefully I overreacted.

[redstateconfidential]

Yep, Bush and pootie poot have “seen and talked” to each other.
Apparently they compared notes on breakfast and birds coughing in the morning air of “Peking”.
Remember, like Serbia, its okay if Christians are being killed.

[AppyPappy]

Georgia should have used some of that oil money to buy some fighter planes.

[victim soul]

Russia thinks we are weak and has been planning this for years.

[SJackson]

Its on if they bomb our marines.

No, unfortunately it's one of the risks of the job.

[victim soul]

Russia thinks we are weak and has been planning this for years.

[TexasGunLover]

Remember, like Serbia, its okay if Christians are being killed.

Right... it's sickening it's so absurd.

[Peter Libra]

I was highly interested in this post. I have to thank old friend Wikipedia here. Some quick statistics are revealing.

The main religion is said to be 82% Orthodox Christianity and small groups of other Christians exist. Muslims are said to be 9.9%.

What was remarkable is the flag of this Country. It is the red cross and small red crosses on a white background. Even more remarkable is the coat of arms. It is a depiction of St George slaying the dragon.

Shades of Kosovo here perhaps.

[Ed Norton]

Whats on? You are delusional if you think the Russians are push overs like Saddam.
When was the last time the U.S. has faced a first rate army?

[MARKUSPRIME]

Hey look a newly signed up anti-US troll.