Exercise provides high-risk zone skills

TBILISI, Georgia, July 16 (UPI) -- Ukrainian army officials have been invited to participate in a military exercise in Georgia to gain experience in stability operations for high-risk zones.

The U.S.-Georgian Immediate Response 2008 military exercise, being conducted until August at the Vaziani military base near the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, includes seven officers participating from the Ukrainian army, the Ukraine Defense Ministry reported.

Officials say the United States invited the Ukrainian officers to participate in an initiative to help them gain analysis and operational planning experience in regions where countering threats to stability is a high priority.

"The purpose of the exercise is gaining practical experience by its participants in the staff of the multinational headquarters during operations to ensure stability and support in high-risk zones, and using this experience during the fulfillment of tasks in the multinational peacekeeping contingent or multinational headquarters," the release said.