The very first of such formations was founded during the War in Abkhazia in 1992 . At the time there was no clear division between paramilitary and military units while cadres that received training from former Soviet and Russian instructors generally enjoyed more popularity among the Georgian leadership . A lot of effort was put into the establishment of a sustainable system of development of special military units , which was achieved in 1999 . In order to replace the Soviet model with something that would resemble highest international standards the so-called SOF Train and Equip Program was established with financial and material assistance from Turkey . Some officers had already completed Army Rangers and SF courses in the United States . Because Georgia lacked the infrastructure and means at that time , the first applicants and candidates for Georgian special forces were sent to Turkey to train there . Since 2001 , Georgia has intensified the training of its elite forces in cooperation with American , French , British , Israeli and other countries ' special services . In 2002 as part of the Georgia Train and Equip program over 2000 soldiers including 1000 paramilitary troops were trained by US instructors for special-and counter terrorism operations . About $ 65 million were invested by the United States for the training of 400 army commandos and state security forces . In the framework of said program over $ 6 million were committed by the Georgian government itself to properly arm and supply the country 's special forces battalion so that training in accordance to US and NATO standards was ensured . The US 10th Special Forces Group of SOCOM was tasked with assisting in setting up the proper infrastructure and training ground for Georgia 's special operations forces , identified by NATO as '' ' GSOF ' '' . Georgian commandos were part of KFOR , played a limited role during the 2001 Macedonia insurgency and participated in the Iraq War from 2003 until the complete withdrawal of the Georgian contingent in 2008 due to an escalation of hostilities in South Ossetia . Another $ 11.5 million were raised by the US in 2008 for special forces training . However , as a result of the Russo-Georgian conflict the US ceased providing any type of assistance in training Georgian forces , including special forces as unofficial and undeclared embargoes were in full effect against the country until a new government took over in 2012 . Despite that brief setback a foundation had been laid and Georgia 's elite units became much less dependent on foreign assistance . Instead focus was shifted towards cooperation , bilateral exercises and inter-operability with their NATO and European , particularly Eastern European counterparts . Georgian special forces have taken part in numerous international missions and joint exercises . Following the 2014 Wales summit joint training exercises between US-and Georgian special forces officially renewed and since then are held on a regular basis . Several NATO certifications were achieved in 2017 following multinational manoeuvers . Another close partner besides SOCOM is the Polish Special Forces Command , in particular JW GROM and AGAT which took part in the general assessment , mentoring and qualification leading to a NATO operational certification for GSOF . The years long assessment and enhancement of operational capabilities culminated in a final certification during a 2017 exercise in which several Polish special forces components played the opposing force against their Georgian counterparts . GSOF is thereby NATO certified to operate a Special Operations Task Group or SOTG within Alliance structures , which is unique for non-Nato countries . Joint exercises and qualification with Polish SOF are commenced on a regular basis since 2013
2014 Wales summit
2014 Wales summit
Georgian Special Operations Forces