Officials, troops and citizens mark Georgian Armed Forces Day

Georgia is marking an anniversary of its armed forces today, with celebrations held in recognition of the troops and professionals serving among its ranks, Agenda.ge reports

This year’s April 30 date marks 26 years since conscription to the fledgling independent Georgian army was established in 1991. The date is marked as Armed Forces Day annually. Formal celebrations were held earlier today at the I Infantry Brigade base in central Georgian city Gori, with officials and military commanders in attendance.

The ceremony involved address from the Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili, who took the opportunity to congratulate the 11th Infantry Battalion of the brigade with safe return from their peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan on Saturday.

The peacekeepers were also thanked for their service by Chief of the General Staff of Armed Forces Brigadier General Vladimer Chachibaia, while unit commanders deployed in peacekeeping missions also reported to their superiors in Georgia about current conditions in their areas of operation.

On April 24, 1991, Georgia’s Cabinet of Ministers issued a decree to recruit the country’s youth for compulsory military service. Conscription into the Army officially launched on April 30 of that year.