Krtsanisi National Training Centre
| Training and Military Education Support Centre "Krtsanisi" | |
|---|---|
Gardabani Municipality, Kvemo Kartli, Georgia | |
 Logo | |
  Training and Military Education Support Centre "Krtsanisi" | |
| Coordinates | 41°34′57″N 44°54′46″E / 41.5824°N 44.9129°E |
The Training and Military Education Support Centre "Krtsanisi" (
General Staff Military Training and Education Command.[2] Established in April 1997, the unit was known as the Krtsanisi National Training Center (ეროვნული სასწავლო ცენტრი „კრწანისი“) until 2016. It was also referred to as the Krtsanisi Training Area (KTA), especially in the United States sources.[3]
History
The training centre Krtsanisi was formed on the basis of the former Iaghluja shooting range on April 22, 1997. Since 2002, the centre has been a principal ground for the U.S.-sponsored training programs for the Georgian military (
Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES).[2]
On January 11, 2011, an explosion of 120mm mortar shell during artillery drills killed three and injured thirteen soldiers at the Krtsanisi centre.[4]
Since August 2015, the facility also hosts the NATO–Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Center (JTEC).[5]
Structure and courses
The Centre maintains seven principal training courses:
- Basic Combat Training Course
- Infantry Specialization Course
- Anti-aircraft Gunner Training Course
- Artillery Training Course
- Combat Operations Supporters Training Course
- Snipers Training Course
- Sergeants Preparation Course[6]
Major Malkhaz Merlani (b. 1976) has been the chief of the centre since 2010.[7]
References
- ^ "U.S. Marines based in Krtsanisi Training Area volunteer to help at Tbilisi infant house (May 27) - U.S. Embassy in Georgia".
- ^ Ministry of Defense of Georgia. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
- ^ Ambassador Miles breaks ground at Krtsanisi Training Area Archived 2011-07-24 at the Wayback Machine. Embassy of the United States to Georgia. February 23, 2005.
- ^ Three Soldiers Killed in Blast at Base. Civil Georgia. January 11, 2011
- ^ "NATO, Georgia Open Joint Training Center". Civil Georgia. 27 August 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ National Training Centre "Krtsanisi": Training Courses. Ministry of Defense of Georgia. Retrieved 2011-05-06
- ®. Retrieved 2011-05-06.