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Stockpiled Marine cots arrive in Georgia

The first of 8,000 military cots pulled from the Corps’ Norway-based stockpile arrived in Georgia on Tuesday, Marine officials said.

The cots were sent as part of U.S. European Command’s plan to assist Georgia following an invasion and bombing by Russia that began Aug. 8. Russia finished its withdrawal from Georgia on Friday following a cease-fire urged by the U.S. and several European nations.

Marine Corps Forces Europe pulled the cots from stockpiles kept as part of Marine Corps Pre-Positioning Program Norway, which maintains ordnance and supplies in six caves in central Norway, Germany-based Marine officials said in a statement.

“As one of the smallest component service headquarters in the European theater, we are pleased to be in a position to supply items in support of this humanitarian assistance operation,” said Lt. Col. Donald E. Gray, assistant chief of staff for logistics with Marine Corps Forces Europe. “We will continue supporting the European Command in enhancing transatlantic relationships while responding to humanitarian needs.”

The cots will be delivered by the Navy, which sent five ships to Georgia with humanitarian aid. The ships began arriving Sunday, Navy officials said.