Defense Minister, Irakli Alasania, visited Georgian troops stationed in the southern Afghan province of Helmand.

He was at the Camp Leatherneck, the U.S. Marine Corps base in Washir district, and then at the combat outpost Eredvi in Musa Qala in the north of Helmand province.

33rd and 42nd battalions from the third and fourth brigades of the Georgian Armed Forces are currently deployed in the Helmand province. Georgia also has up to 50 soldiers deployed in Camp Phoenix in Kabul. Georgia lost 29 soldiers in Afghanistan.

“From here our soldiers are contributing to the foundation of our statehood’s stability,” Alasania said while visiting combat outpost Eredvi, where Georgian troops from the 42nd battalion are deployed.

This is Alasania’s fourth visit to Afghanistan since becoming the defense minister in late October, 2012.

Meanwhile commander of the U.S. Marine Corps in Europe, Lieutenant General Richard T. Tryon, is visiting Georgia. He was at the Krtsanisi training ground outside Tbilisi on September 17 where Georgian troops are trained for the Afghan deployment by the U.S. marines.