MARIETTA, Ga. – More than 250 Georgia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen will participate in training exercise Noble Partner 20 in the country of Georgia Sept. 7-18.
Noble Partner 20 is a cooperatively led exercise of the Georgian Defense Force and U.S. Army Europe at Vaziani and Camp Norio training areas in Georgia. The exercise enhances regional partnerships and increases U.S. force readiness and interoperability in a realistic, multinational training environment. Participants conduct situational training, live-fire exercises, and combined mechanized maneuvers.
Georgia Army National Guard units participating in Noble Partner include the Savannah-based Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment; the Glennville-based Alpha Company, 177th Brigade Engineer Battalion; and the Macon-based Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 148th Brigade Support Battalion. The Marietta-based 78th Troop Command and 78th Aviation Troop Command will also deploy Soldiers to support the exercise. The Georgia Air National Guard’s Savannah-based 165th Airlift Wing will send joint terminal attack controllers to the exercise.
The Georgia National Guard and country of Georgia routinely train together as part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program. The Georgia National Guard and country of Georgia celebrated the 25th anniversary of their partnership in 2019.
Georgia Army National Guard Soldiers will train alongside active-duty U.S. Army units such as the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 12th and 101st Combat Aviation Brigades, and 18th Military Police Brigade during Noble Partner. Service members from France, Georgia, Poland and the United Kingdom will also participate in the training exercise.
After careful consideration and coordination with the Georgian Ministry of Defense, Noble Partner 20 was modified from its original design and reduced to ensure the safety of all participants due to COVID-19. Participants will observe precautionary measures to ensure the health and protection of the military and local residents.