Noble Partner 2017 int'l drills ceremonially opened in Georgia
TBILISI. July 30 (Interfax) - The Noble Partner 2017 international drills began at an airfield of the Vaziani military base on July 30 and will end on August 12.
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze, Defense Minister Levan Izoria and members of the diplomatic corps attended the opening ceremony of the exercise.
The Noble Partner drills are being held in Georgia for the third time, the Georgian Defense Ministry said. Over 2,800 servicemen from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Turkey, Slovenia, Georgia, Ukraine and Armenia are being involved in the ongoing drills. Up to 500 armored vehicles, including American and German armored vehicles, which arrived to Georgia by sea, will also be involved in the training.
U.S. Vice President Michael Pence, who will arrive to Georgia on a two-day visit on July 31, will attend the Noble Partner 2017 drills.
The exercise itself will begin on July 31, their ceremonial opening was held on Sunday, commander of the Noble Partner 2017 training Col. Shavlego Tabatadze told reporters.
