Today, Georgia’s Vaziani military base hosted the fifth Noble Partner closing ceremony and Live Fire Exercise. Each year this multi-national exercise demonstrates how allied forces are continuing to work and train together, even under the demanding conditions of the COVID pandemic. The Noble Partner exercise reaffirms U.S. commitment to Georgia as a key strategic partner, underscores continuing U.S. and NATO presence in the country, and enhances unit readiness and the interoperability needed to support Georgian territorial self-defense requirements.
Along with other distinguished guests, Ambassador Kelly C. Degnan attended the closing ceremony and gave remarks commending participants and hosts for successful completion of this important exercise and for keeping everyone healthy and safe during the challenging times of worldwide pandemic.
Ambassador Kelly Degnan’s Remarks to Media at Noble Partner 2020 Closing Ceremony (September 18)
Ambassador Kelly Degnan: I am very honored to be here for the closing ceremony of the fifth iteration of Noble Partner. This is an exercise that brings together Georgian Defense Forces with NATO Allies. This year, the United States was very pleased to join with Georgia, Poland, France and United Kingdom in two weeks of intensive training. The exercise is not just about developing interoperability of our forces, it is also about sending a clear message about the ability to organize an exercise despite the pandemic and sends a clear message of deterrence to any aggressors. The exercise was very successful, the fact that we were able to do this, bring the forces in safely despite the COVID pandemic. The government of Georgia and the Allied Forces took the necessary precautions to keep all of the forces safe and healthy. So, again, it was a real honor for me to be here today.