Georgian Special Operations Forces
Georgian Special Operations Forces | |
---|---|
სპეციალური ოპერაციების ძალები | |
Part of |
War in Abkhazia *
1999–2003: Kosovo Force Macedonia insurgency (border)Since 2001: Russo-Georgian war
2012: Lopota incident War in Donbass (disputed) 2015–2021: RSM Afghanistan (Rangers) |
Website | sof |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Col. Temur Klateishvili |
Notable commanders | Gocha Karkarashvili Nikoloz Janjgava Zaza Gogava |
Defence Forces of Georgia |
---|
Flag of Georgia Emblem of Defence Forces |
Executive |
|
Staff |
Military service commands |
|
Functional combatant commands |
|
MoD departments and organizations |
The Georgian Special Operations Forces (GSOF) (
Georgian Special Operation Forces are subordinated under the MOD Special Operations Main Division to a brigade-level command structure. Each formation is split into several sub-divisions which are allocated on different Georgian regions, cities and strategically important areas. Most instructor units are composed of veterans of past conflicts including the Soviet–Afghan War and the internal conflicts in Georgia. Officers and instructors served as in former Soviet Army or NATO special services.[4]
History
The very first of such formations was founded during the
Early 1990s
Several elite units were created in 1992. Those included
Pankisi Gorge
In 2002 Georgia carried out a special operation in the infamous
Georgian special forces have been accused multiple times to have carried out numerous assassinations and acts of sabotage in the North Caucasus and within the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.[32] Russia also accused Georgia of using its special forces to train and equip Chechen militants in the
South Ossetia 2008
Georgian special operations forces took part in several engagements of the 2008 war. They supported a mobile task force consisting of
Lopota Valley
In 2012 one combat medic of the special forces, corporal Vladimer Khvedelidze, was killed during a controversial engagement with 20 armed militants crossing the Georgian-Dagestani border.[46][47] According to the official version, security forces were reinforced by military after a group of armed men took locals hostage and demanded ransom. The local residents were released when a trapped border guard officer offered himself as a hostage instead insisting he had a much higher value for them. The armed group was offered negotiations but refused the unprofitable conditions and threatened to take the negotiator. In that moment Georgia's anti-terror unit opened fire and killed one of the militants. During the firefight 10 more were killed but also one MIA security officer. In midst of the shootout, the army special forces corpsman tried to evacuate a wounded officer but got attacked and both men died on the spot.[46][48]
Involvement in the Ukraine conflict
In May 2015 Georgian special forces were claimed by Ukrainian officials and also have been accused by Russia and the Donetsk People's Republic to have apprehended Russian nationals fighting with the separatists because they were suspected to be members of Russian special services and military intelligence. Georgian nationals, mostly retired servicemen, including former special forces members and police have been confirmed to be fighting with the Ukrainian army intelligence and security services.[49] Georgian instructors were also involved in training Ukraine's special forces.[50] In October 2015 both countries discussed further cooperation that would allow Ukrainian special forces personnel to be trained in Georgia, particularly the Mountain Warfare School.[51]
Participation in International Peacekeeping Missions
Kosovo Force
Georgia's first involvement in peacekeeping operations was part of the
Operation Iraqi Freedom
In August 2003 Georgia deployed a 70 men strong detachment to Iraq. The contingent consisted of special forces, a sapper unit and medical personnel.
ISAF
Towards the end of the ISAF mission from March to October 2014 the former Mountain-Reconnaissance Battalion was deployed to Afghanistan, mainly stationed at the Kandahar Air Base amidst the withdrawal process.[59] The unit's mission was to provide security and carry out patrols and combat operations as well as instruct Afghan artillery units. Prior to deployment the battalion's soldiers participated and prepared in extensive mission rehearsal exercises with U.S. troops in Hohenfels Germany.[60][61]
Resolute Support
One reinforced Ranger company was deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Resolute Support Mission. It was tasked with providing security and protection to RSM headquarters.[62] The Rangers were also part of the force that repelled the Taliban attack on the German consulate in 2016.[63]
Cooperation and interoperability with NATO forces
Georgian special operations forces work closely with and are advised and monitored by
Organization
In 2019 the special operations forces were divided into two main operational groups for Eastern and Western Operational Command respectively: the acting formations and their sub units as two autonomous forces and the Special Operations Training Center which contains all training and educational arms of the branch.
Special Operations Forces
Structure as of 2020.[68]
- Finance and Accounting Service
- Headquarters
- Special Operations Forces
- Special Operations Battalion
- Naval Special Operations Squadron ( Company )
- Ranger Battalion
- Special Operations Battalion
- Special Operations Training Center named after Major Gela Chedia
- Staff Company
The Special Operations Battalion with its supplementary Frogman Company are the primary air-land-sea deployable special operations forces of the Defense Forces of Georgia. They are subordinate to the primary HQ but as part of the respective autonomous military commands, maintain their own sub divisions such as staffs, control-communications & counterintelligence, medical, logistics and supply unit as well other supporting elements. Both units are expected to carry out the full spectrum of special operations, including direct action, special reconnaissance and support tasks in their assigned areas of operation. The Naval Special Operations Squadron provides the naval warfare components of the force and is responsible for the training and development in that area. There is always at least one team from each company in full combat readiness, while the rest conduct training, exercises and education classes.[citation needed] In a constant cycle numerous types of firing drills are being exercised through day and night by one group while another group is training on explosives, a third one in hand-to-hand combat, a fourth in weapons specialisation and so forth.[69] The Ranger Battalion was established as SOF support component in 2009.[68]
Special Operations Training Center
The training center consists of following:
- Staff
-S1 -S2 -S3 -S4 -S5 -S6 -S7
- Command
- Special Operations School
- Rangers Preparation School
- Snipers Preparation School
- Paratroopers Preparation School
- Evaluation Development Section
- Logistical Support & Transport Company
Function and mission of the training center is to ensure the development of programs for the development of military servicemen for special subunits, organize and conduct basic courses of special military training in accordance to specialization and provide training and further retraining of the personnel and / or collectively qualified military personnel within the competence. The school certifies successful graduates and subdivisions.[70]
Women in the special operations forces
Apart from very few exceptions, it is generally prohibited for women to be part of the special operations forces. However, that regulation does not deny them entrance to the special operations forces in general. There have been cases of female individuals passing the application and qualification courses, in one recorded case even surpassing the scores of some of their fellow male candidates. However such individuals were excluded from combat assignment. The special operations forces reportedly have had a female sniper. Passing the special forces sniper course is one of the most challenging in the Georgian military.[71]
Selection and courses
The four main education and training schools are the Special Forces School, Rangers School, Snipers School and Airborne School, which vary in admission criteria, requirements and difficulty. To become special forces member, servicemen have to successfully complete every single school. The qualification and training itself is monitored by NATO instructors of leading special forces units.[72] In addition US and Georgian special forces regularly conduct joint training exercises.[73][74][75][76][77] The overall admission criteria include physical, psychological health and durability. The applicants passing rate for special forces never exceeds 10% and lies usually somewhere around 5%. At least 90% of the applicants have served in peacekeeping operations. To be allowed for selection it is required to have served at least two years in the defense forces. The candidate's general abilities and physical conditions will be tested with their current commander's recommendation taken into account.[78]
Ranger School
In order to apply for Ranger School, students are required to be active members of the defense forces "Category A" and must not be older than 30 years. Rank can vary from private to captain. The candidates will be subjected to complex logical tests in
The Rangers School is located near the village Manavi and is similar to the United States Ranger School. Throughout the course, future Rangers will be trained in leading combat operations in different weather and on different terrain such as forests / jungles, mountains and populated areas. In tense exercises the servicemen will also adopt advanced leadership capabilities and taught how to respond accordingly in a crisis or arbitrary scenario.[81][82]
Applicants who pass these initial tests will be admitted to the initial preparation course, which lasts about 67 days. There they will deal with following subjects:
- Marksmanship
- Mountain Training
- Airmobile Training
- Military Topography
- Tactical Training
- Medical Training
- Communication
- Engineering Training
- Combat on Urban Terrain
During the preparation for the actual training program, the candidates will acquire the minimum of required skills and experience to pass the specialization course. Initial admission criteria are restricted to ages 18–30 inclusive, Georgian citizenship, a height above 170 cm, a secondary or higher education and a positive report from the medical commission provided by the school itself. Physical requirements are: being able to perform a minimum of 50 push-ups, 50 sit-ups, running a distance of 3,200 m (10,500 ft) in 16:00 minutes or less and 8 pull-ups. The theoretical test on general skills must be passed with a rating of at least 60%. Afterward, the applicants will be interviewed in order to provide general information about their persona. During the subsequent preparation course which' duration is 18 weeks, following subjects will be engaged:[83]
- Marksmanship
- Common Army Tactics
- Military Topography
- Medical Preparation
- Communication
- General Subjects
- Physical Training
The final stage begins after completion of all preparation courses. The applicants will receive all necessary theoretical and practical insight and training in order to be able to conduct operations under similar conditions as the Special Forces School. Admission criteria for civilians are the successful completion of the BIT/BCT (Basic Combat Training) and Rangers preparation courses. The admission tests are the same as those of the initial preparation course except the passing score for theoretical tests must be at least 70%. The theoretical tests include: Tactical Training, Marksmanship, Engineering Training, Topography, Communication and General Skills. After passing these successfully, the applicants will be admitted to the training course, which' duration is 22 weeks.[84]
The general subjects of the course are:
- Training on Water
- Marksmanship
- Mountain Training
- Airmobile Training
- Survival
- Military Topography
- Tactical Training
- Medical Training
- Communication
- Engineering Training
- Physical Training
Airborne School
The airborne training is divided into Paratroopers Basic Training Course and Parachute Rigger Training Course. During the basic course, the students will be trained to carry out parachute jumps under the supervision of instructors with ram-air parachutes in light meteorological conditions, from average altitude, medium speed and with equipment and weapons. Criteria as of age is unrestricted. Any serviceman who has a satisfactory medical report will be admitted to the course which will take three weeks. Subjects will be the history of parachute development, material parts, theoretical parts of parachute jumping, rules of movement and airdrome, aircraft tour, parachute jumping elements on land, special cases during jumping, packing the parachute and practical jumps.
During the so-called Rigger course, the paratroopers will learn how to use, pack, maintain and repair the TTS, T-10B and T-10R parachutes. The course can be attended by personnel who have already passed the basic training course and carried out at least five jumps. The course program also includes two forced jumps.
Servicemen who passed both courses and can prove an overall record of 35 jumps, can apply for Land Instructor-Parachutist Training Course in which they will learn the methods of conducting theoretical parachute and land preparations, organizing parachute jumps and making records, as well as paratroopers instructor duties.
The course duration is 21 days and includes 3 days of practical jumps. The program includes seven jumps, the first, the second, the third and the fourth with equipment and weapons.[85][86]
Special Operations School
The main purpose of the Special Operations School is for applicants to acquire and master necessary skillsets and insight to conduct special missions and operations under extremely tense physical and psychological pressure in provided close to real scenarios so that realistic and prompt evaluations of situations and relevant and important decision making is schooled and refined.
Admission criteria are strictly restricted to ages 21 to 31 inclusive, attested experience in leadership is preferred. The applicants must pass every single course of the Ranger School with satisfactory results to be admitted for selection. Admission requirements for the initial application are split into physical tests which include being able to perform a minimum of 60 push-ups, 66 sit-ups, running a distance of 3,200 meters in 14:24 minutes or less and 10 pull-ups, an Intelligence test and combined tests in army awareness in which 80% of the answers must be correct and finally a recommendation and citation letter from the candidates acting unit commander.
Active servicemen who can prove a satisfactory medical report and successfully passed the entrance examinations, as well as all other requirements, will be allowed to take part in the course.
The course's duration is 39 weeks in which following subjects will be engaged:[84][87]
- Marksmanship
- Mountain Training
- Airmobile Training
- Military Topography
- Tactical Training
- Medical Training
- Communication
- Engineering Training
- Command Training
- Physical Training
- Hand-to-Hand Fighting
- Preparation of Specialists
- Preparation of medics
- Preparation of weapon specialists
- Preparation of engineering and demolitions specialists
Additional courses are:
- Pistol Marksmanship Special Course
- Naval Special Course
- Bodyguard Course
- Antiterrorist Course.
Less than 10%, often only 5% of the applicants will pass and are annually accepted to become members of Georgia's special forces units.
Snipers School
The SF sniper school trains special forces personnel as well as regular army members from age 18 to 40 in modern sniper warfare in accordance with higher international standards.
The special forces sniper course requires special forces personnel to have a marksmanship level expert or I class to be accepted to the course. Other criteria are a Common Army Awareness Test, a Memory Test, the Shooting from Sniper Rifles, psychological tests and a physical test which equals that of Special Forces School with the exactly same requirements. Special forces personnel passing these tests will undergo a 12-week-long course engaging following subjects:[88]
- Marksmanship
- Sniper Tactics
- Sniper Tracking
- Survival
- Special Reconnaissance
During the course, theoretical evaluations must amount 70% of correct answers.
After completion of all necessary courses until Sniper Course in a time period of 24 to 27 months or longer depending on if started as civilian or servicemen, the candidate may be granted title of Special Operations Forces Soldier. Service in the special unit grants access to the special operations groups and further education for special naval warfare or intelligence and logistics. Unit members will be taught in foreign languages and sent abroad to train together with partner nations.[89]
Equipment
Small Arms
Weapon | Photo | Origin | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Glock 19 Gen 4
|
Austria | Primary side arm | |
Heckler & Koch MP5K
|
Germany | ||
AKS-74U
|
Soviet Union | Used in various configurations, mostly customized. | |
Mossberg 500 590 590A1 |
United States | Breaching tool | |
M4A1 M4A3 |
United States | Primary weapon | |
AK-74M
|
Soviet Union Bulgaria |
Used in various configurations, mostly customized. Carried by security details in Iraq. | |
AKMS
PM md. 63 |
Soviet Union Romania |
Used for exercises in Romania, and by security details in Iraq. | |
AS Val
|
Soviet Union | Used in limited number by special mission units | |
IWI Negev | Israel | ||
M249 SAW | United States | ||
PK machine gun PKS PKM |
Soviet Union | GPMG | |
M240 Bravo | United States | GPMG | |
IMI Galatz
|
Israel | ||
M110 | United States | ||
Desert Tech SRS | United States | ||
McMillan Tac-50
Tac-338 |
United States | ||
Barrett M82 Barrett M95 |
United States | ||
RPG-7 RPG-7D |
Soviet Union Georgia |
||
RPG-18 RPG-22 RPG-26 PDM-1 |
Soviet Union Georgia | ||
FGM-148 Javelin[90] | United States |
Vehicles
Vehicle | Photo | Origin | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Toyota Land Cruiser | Japan | ||
Land Rover Defender | Great Britain | ||
Humvee | United States | ||
Otokar Cobra | Turkey | ||
Didgori-2 Didgori Warrior Warrior Mortar Carrier |
Georgia |
Comparable units
- Green Berets
- USA - United States Army Rangers
- MARSOC
- LTU - Lithuanian Special Operations Force
- POL - Polish Special Forces
- Maroon Berets
- Underwater Offence Group Command
References
- ^ "საქართველოს შეიარაღებული ძალების გენერალური შტაბის სპეციალური ოპერაციების ძალების დებულების დამტკიცების შესახებ". www.matsne.gov.ge (in Georgian). 29 January 2014.
- ^ ""დაუნდობლები" - გაიცანით ქართული არმიის მრისხანე იარაღი! - კვირის პალიტრა" (in Georgian). Kvirispalitra.ge. 2015-11-09. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ "თავდაცვის ძალების სპეციალური ოპერაციების ძალები". www.mod.gov.ge (in Georgian).
- ^ Pike, John. "Georgia Army". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
- ^ "Georgia's Special Operations Forces Celebrate 17th Anniversary". www.gtarchive.georgiatoday.ge. 29 June 2015.
- ^ "ისტორია". www.sof.mod.gov.ge.
- ^ "How Israel Trained and Equipped Georgia's Army". www.wired.com. 19 August 2008.
- ^ "First Georgian soldiers graduate from U.S.-sponsored training program".
- ISBN 978-1482369175.
- ^ "Special Ops Forces Are 'Tool of Choice'". www.nationaldefensemagazine.org.
- ^ "საერთაშორისო მისიები". www.sof.mod.gov.ge (in Georgian).
- ^ "December 22, 2003 - Rumsfeld praises republic of Georgia Special Forces for joining U.S. operations in Iraq". The Militant. 2003-12-22. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
- ^ "H:\DOCS\53985.txt" (PDF). Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ "The Embargo That Never Was • Tabula". Archived from the original on 2017-08-14.
- ^ Meca, Cosmin (2016-09-06). "Exerciţiul multinaţional Junction Strike 16 în România – Radio România Oltenia Craiova". Radiocraiova.ro. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ "FOTOGALERIE Imagini de la cel mai amplu exercitiu desfasurat de Fortele Speciale din Armata Romana impreuna cu militari americani, moldoveni si din alte tari europene - Esential - HotNews.ro". 29 June 2015.
- ^ "Internal Server Error" (PDF).
- ^ "Gruzińscy specjalsi bliżej NATO". polska-zbrojna.pl.
- ^ a b "Georgian SF become NATO certified - Shephard Media".
- ^ "Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej - Portal Gov.pl". Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej.
- ^ "Międzynarodowe ćwiczenia wojsk specjalnych". www.polska-zbrojna.pl.
- ^ "Wojska specjalne Polski i Gruzji zacieśniają współpracę". PolskieRadio.pl.
- ^ Cathcart, Will (2 December 2018). "Who Blew Out a CIA Spy's Brains? A New Book Fingers His 'Best Friend'". The Daily Beast.
- ^ "A-5175 (ACC-GEO-5175)". 10 November 2006.
- ^ "АЛЬФА». БИТВА ЗА ГРУЗИЮ — СПЕЦНАЗ РОССИИ - Интервью".
- ^ "Georgian Force Disbanded". The New York Times. 3 December 1995.
- ^ "Military Aspects of the War. The Battle for Gagra (The Turning-point), by Dodge Billingsley".
- ^ "Commando Assaults Threaten Georgian-Abkhaz Peace". Stratfor.
- ^ "Georian Security Operation Proceeds in the Pankisi Gorge". EurasiaNet.org. 2002-09-02. Archived from the original on 2013-04-19. Retrieved 2012-10-09.
- ISBN 0815771940.
- ISBN 978-0691165868.
- ^ "Abkhazia Creates Anti-Sabotage Military Unit in Gali - Kanal PIK TV". Pik.tv. 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2012-10-09.
- ^ "Russia accuses Georgia of aiding rebels". News.rin.ru. Retrieved 2012-10-09.
- ^ Tanks 2010, pp. 47.
- ^ Cecire, Michael (2015-09-24). "NATO's Endless Caucasian Courtship – Foreign Policy". Foreignpolicy.com. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ Cohen 2011, pp. 28–29.
- ^ Авраам Шмулевич. "Разгром штабной колонны 58-й армии. Событие и анализ » АПН - Агентство Политических Новостей". Apn.ru. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ Tanks 2010, pp. 61, 62, 63.
- ^ "Here's How NATO Can Open a Path to Membership for Georgia". Atlantic Council. 2014-07-02. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ISBN 978-1846943522.
- ^ a b Tanks 2010, pp. 108.
- ^ "MOD.GOV.GE". Archived from the original on December 31, 2010. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
- ^ "MOD.GOV.GE".
- ^ "List of Casualties among the Georgian Military Servicemen". Archived from the original on 2017-11-10. Retrieved 2017-11-10.
- ^ ""Пытаться выиграть у такой империи, как Россия, смешно" – Власть – Коммерсантъ". 21 March 2011. (in Russian)
- ^ a b "Civil.Ge | Saakashvili Speaks of Provocation Attempt after Deadly Clash at Border".
- ^ "MOD.GOV.GE".
- ^ "Civil.Ge | Tbilisi Says 3 Georgian Troops, 11 'Saboteurs' Killed in Clash".
- ^ "GEORGIAN COMMANDOS FIGHTING ON SIDE OF UKRAINIAN ARMED FORCES IN DONBASS - HunterNews". Archived from the original on 2017-08-14.
- ^ "Instructors from Georgia and Israel are training Ukrainian special forces police units of Lugansk Region". www.lugansk-news.com.
- ^ "Ukrainian, Georgian Military General Staff discuss cooperation on mountain, special operations forces training - Oct. 22, 2015 | KyivPost | KyivPost - Ukraine's Global Voice". KyivPost. 2015-10-22. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ "KFOR: Basic Information".
- ^ Gotsadze, Elene (2014). "Georgia in international peacekeeping missions" (PDF). eu-nato.gov.ge. Tbilisi: Office of the State Minister of Georgia on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-29.
- ^ https://georgiatoday.ge/ghost-soldiers-why-georgia-needs-more-special-operations-support-and-resources/
- ISBN 978-1-300-36039-1.
- ^ "Საერთაშორისო მისიები - SOF - სპეციალური ოპერაციების ძალები".
- ^ "Georgia May Send Commando Battalion to Iraq". 19 March 2003.
- ^ "December 22, 2003 - Rumsfeld praises republic of Georgia Special Forces for joining U.S. operations in Iraq". The Militant. 2003-12-22. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ "Another group of Georgian battalion back from Afghanistan". Archived from the original on 2016-10-12.
- ^ "DVIDS - News - Georgian Special Mountain Battalion ends Afghan mission with ceremony". Dvidshub.net. 2014-10-31. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ "More Georgian soldiers return from Afghanistan". Agenda.ge. 2014-09-23. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ "U.S. Central Command > MEDIA > VIDEOS".
- ^ "Georgian Soldiers Thanked for Defending German Consulate in Afghanistan • Tabula". Archived from the original on 2017-12-09.
- ^ https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2022/2/pdf/Special-Operations-Forces-georgia.pdf
- ^ "Noble Partner Supports Georgia's NATO Response Force Integration > U.S. Department of Defense > Defense Department News". Defense.gov. 2017-08-16. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ ""Kobra '17": czas na uderzenie". Polska-zbrojna.pl. 2018-12-17. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ "Ukrainian marines take part in Noble Partner 2017 multinational drills in Georgia - Aug. 14, 2017 | KyivPost | KyivPost - Ukraine's Global Voice". KyivPost. 2017-08-14. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ a b "სპეციალური ოპერაციების ძალების ისტორია" (in Georgian).
- ^ ""Пытаться выиграть у такой империи, как Россия, смешно"" (in Russian). Kommersant.ru. 2011-03-21. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ კომენტარის დამატება (2018-12-26). ""საქართველოს თავდაცვის სამინისტროს თავდაცვის ძალების სპეციალური ოპერაციების ძალების დებულების დამტკიცების შესახებ" საქართველოს თავდაცვის მინისტრის 2017 წლის 5 აპრილის №28 ბრძანებაში ცვლილების შეტანის თაობაზე | სსიპ "საქართველოს საკანონმდებლო მაცნე"". Matsne.gov.ge. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ ""დაუნდობლები" - გაიცანით ქართული არმიის მრისხანე იარაღი! - კვირის პალიტრა" (in Georgian). Kvirispalitra.ge. 2015-11-09. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ "Course Graduation Ceremony in Special Operations Forces - News - MOD.GOV.GE".
- ^ "U.S. and Georgian Special Forces Complete Joint Training (February 26) - U.S. Embassy in Georgia".
- ^ "US and Georgian Special Forces Successfully Complete Joint Training (March 29) - U.S. Embassy in Georgia".
- ^ "17 years since creation of Georgia's Special Operations Forces". Agenda.ge. 2016-11-29. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ "ქართველმა სამხედროებმა მუხროვანში ამერიკული გამოცდილება მიიღეს".
- ^ "Retraining of two companies in Special Operations Forces finished - News - MOD.GOV.GE".
- ^ "Irakli Alasania attended Green Berets military training in Vaziani - GeorgianJournal".
- ^ "რეინჯერის პროგრამა". sof.mod.gov.ge. 2022. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
- ^ "Representatives of special operations forces have completed the ranger course". www.imedinews.ge. 17 November 2021.
- ^ "The Rangers Course". www.mod.gov.ge. 2 May 2015.
- ^ "Rangers' Awarding Ceremony - News - MOD.GOV.GE".
- ^ "რეინჯერის პროგრამა". of.mod.gov.ge. 2022. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
- ^ a b "საწყისი საბრძოლო მომზადების (BCT) კურსი - - SOF - სპეციალური ოპერაციების ძალები".
- ^ "ირაკლი ალასანია ბოლნისში სპეციალური დანიშნულების მომზადების საპარაშუტო სკოლაში საჩვენებელ სწავლებას დაესწრო". www.ghn.ge (in Georgian). 23 January 2013.
- ^ "საპარაშუტო მომზადების სკოლაში სასწავლო პროგრამა პარაშუტით ხტომის საჩვენებელი ელემენტებით დასრულდა". www.imedinews.ge (in Georgian). 2 June 2022.
- ^ "Special Forces School | Special Operations Forces". Geosof.ge. Retrieved 2012-10-09. [permanent dead link]
- ^ "Snipers School | Special Operations Forces". Geosof.ge. Retrieved 2012-10-09. [permanent dead link]
- ^ "Payment & Benefits | Special Operations Forces". Geosof.ge. Retrieved 2012-10-09. [permanent dead link]
- ^ "Live fire exercise held at the Vaziani training ground". mod.gov.ge.
Works cited
- Cohen, Ariel; Hamilton, Robert E. (2011). The Russian Military and the Georgia War: Lessons and Implications. Strategic Studies Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 June 2011.
- "The Tanks of August" (PDF). Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 January 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2014.