Simulated Earthquake in Kosovo

Szöveg: László Szűcs | 2011. július 15. 14:51

On the last day of June the troops of the fourth rotation of the HDF KFOR Contingent stationed in Pristina, Kosovo went on a KFOR-level exercise. The Hungarian maneuver company took part in the Field Training Exercise (FTX) Balkan Hawk.

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The main purpose of the exercise was to provide KFOR units, the EULEX Police Component and the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) with an opportunity to conduct joint training and to enhance their interoperability, Maj. Imre Frankó told us.

The assistant chief operations of the Hungarian contingent – who is also the Deputy Commander of the Hungarian-Portuguese KFOR Tactical Reserve Maneuver (KTM) Battalion – told us that the basic scenario of the exercise was based on the assumption of a heavy earthquake, which shook Kosovo, causing serious damage both to the town of Decani and its surroundings in the western part of the country and to Pristina, the capital. In the wake of the natural disaster, the EULEX Police Component launched a joint search and rescue (SAR) and evacuation operation together with the Kosovo Police. It soon turned out, however, that they were unable to get the situation under control by themselves, so they requested assistance from KFOR. Responding at short notice, the helicopters of the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) elements of the KFOR Multinational Battle Group (MNBG) delivered reinforcements, while the KTM battalion also deployed troops on ground as well as by air. To handle the riots and the demonstrations and to protect the properties with designated special status (PrDSS), the KFOR Air MEDEVAC team was called in alongside the KSF firefighting unit and EOD team.

Maj. Frankó told us that the troops of Charlie company, the Hungarian subunit of the KFOR TACRES Maneuver Battalion (KTM) had a dual task during the exercise Balkan Hawk. They took part as a crisis response force, and, together with Ukrainian troops, a Hungarian platoon played the rioters’ role as the Opposing Force (OPFOR). The exercise involved a Turkish subunit whose personnel received Crowd and Riot Control (CRC) training from the Hungarians some weeks earlier. Capt. Lajos Asztalos from the HQ of the KTM Battalion participated in the organization and planning of the exercise and joined the work of the directing staff (DISTAFF). The real medical cover for the exercise was provided by the KFOR HUN CON medical cell led by Capt. (Med.) Dr. Eleonóra Kovács.

Maj. Imre Frankó added that beyond their participation in the KFOR-level FTX, in recent weeks the Hungarian peacekeepers went on presence patrols. For the most part, they were patrolling the village of Zubin Potok in the northern region of Kosovo, in rotation with their Portuguese comrades. “During the past few months this area has been the main source of unrest in Kosovo, a region where KFOR’s presence is needed on a continuous basis", Maj. Frankó added.

Photo: Lisandra Albuquerque and Tiborné Négyesi

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