Quick Response 2018 in the Balkans

Although the situation remains stable in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the internal political and nationality differences may at any time pose a serious problem to the peacekeeping soldiers executing their duties in the territory of the country. The local law enforcement authorities have an ever more advanced range of devices, but the political leaders still heavily rely on the support of the EUFOR servicemen.

This year, for the first time, the soldiers of the KFOR Tactical Reserve Battalion (KTRBN) and the EUFOR Multinational Battalion (MNBN) could work together in a situation approaching reality, demonstrating the close relations between the European Union and NATO. During the ‘Quick Response 2018’ exercise the invited guests and the local and the international journalists could view the devices and methods that the soldiers of the EUFOR MNBN can use to control a civil demonstration. It was part of the scenario, that EUFOR called the reserve available for help, who formed a part of the Kosovo Forces. The KTRBN soldiers reinforced their allies, and they finished the exercise together with success.

After arresting the trouble-makers, the local forces took over the main role. The local police forces and the State Investigation and Protection Agency – SIPA conducted a hostage-rescue operation, in which they executed serious FIBUA tasks. The most spectacular part of the dynamic display was, when an injured person had to be provided combat medical care, then using a rescue hoist device the patient was lifted to a helicopter from the dangerous environment.

The Director of the Exercise Brigadier General Gábor Horváth pointed out that during the dynamic display the visitors will see a non-rehearsed performance. The day of the exercise is the first time when the theatre commanders work together – in the preparation period they could practice only with their subunits. In view of this, the success of the exercise is really the fruit of the international co-operation, and this gives a very positive picture both about NATO, the EU, and the local forces alike.