KRTSANISI, Republic of Georgia -- Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program U.S. Task Force logistics Marines have been issuing the Republic of Georgia’s 22nd Light Infantry Battalion 275 types of equipment ranging from weapons, vehicles and uniforms to pencils, folding chairs and mess kits.
The ongoing gear issue at the Krtsanisi National Training Area, Republic of Georgia, which began Aug. 17, is almost complete, according to 1st Lt. Marcelino Hsie, the GSSOP logistics officer and native of Tucson, Ariz.
According to Hsie, the gear has been permanently issued as a donation to the 22nd Battalion under parameters the GSSOP mission, which is to assist and enhance Georgia’s military capability to sustain its contribution to the effort in Iraq.
Georgia’s GSSOP trained troops form part of the dedicated force called for in UN Security Council Resolution 1546 to protect UN forces in Iraq.
Georgia needs the assistance, due to the Georgian military’s limited resources.
“These guys came to us with pretty much nothing except a set of cammies and their (weapons),” said Hsie. “We’re just trying to properly equip them.”
The gear issue will cover all aspects of equipment needed to professionalize a battalion. The individual soldiers have already received the majority of their individual issue.
“We gave them the full issue that a military soldier would need just to do his job and do it properly,” said Gunnery Sgt. David Harris, the GSSOP logistics chief and native of Tell City, Ind. “It’s extremely important due to the fact that they will be properly equipped to fight the battle, and it gives them the morale of looking like soldiers and having the equipment to do the job.”
The supplies were donated to Georgia by the United States and several other nations through the Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program. Hungry donated small arms. The Czech Republic and Romania contributed ammunition.
According to Hsie, approximately $4,000 in gear per soldier was given to each of the 558 members of the 22nd Battalion in addition to gear issued to the unit such as trucks, and general-purpose tents.
“We gave them three (Russian) 5-ton Ural 4320 Cargo Trucks, six British Land Rovers, three hard top and three soft top, and one Land Rover ambulance purchased from a vendor in Turkey,” Hsie said, highlighting some of the more costly items.
Other categories of equipment issued to the 22nd Battalion were administrative supplies such as paper, dry-erase boards, markers, and cleaning supplies such as brooms and disinfectant.
“We gave them all their training supplies too, all their targets, ear plugs, pasties and other equipment required to run a range,” Hsie explained.
The battalion was also outfitted with office furniture, and standard of living amenities like kerosene heaters for use in the winter.
One of the challenges that arose during the issue process was with the first-aid kits. When the kits arrived it was determined that they were not adequate for the Iraq mission.
“The first aid kits were really small. Our medical personnel determined that they would be insufficient for their mission, so they’re ordering ones like our IFAKs (Improved First Aid Kits),” Hsie explained. The first aid kits that arrived in the initial order will be issued to non-deploying units.
According to Harris, something that stood out in his mind was the Georgian soldiers’ appreciation for the gear they were given. “The majority of it is just the attitude, saying ‘thank you.’ You can see it in their eyes as their going through the line. They’re happy to be getting the equipment we’re giving them”
“Because they’ve never had anything, everything they get they take great care of,” Harris explained. “They don’t like getting their uniforms dirty or anything like that because they only have two or three sets.”
The Georgian soldiers’ appreciation for the new gear extends beyond their personal equipment to the unit items issued to the 22nd Battalion. While the Land Rovers are currently being used for daily battalion functions, the original shipping plastic can still be seen covering the seats in an effort to preserve the quality of the vehicles as long as possible.
Harris concluded, “They take nothing we give them for granted. They’re very appreciative and they take extremely good care of their things.”