Exercise Quick Response 2019 was completed today, successfully demonstrating that EUFOR in cooperation with its contributing nations are able to conduct large scale Peace Support Operations should it be required.
Elements of the Reserve Forces along with EUFOR’s permanent in-theatre troops, the AFBiH and Law Enforcement Agencies successfully conducted training and completed tasks injected by the Exercise Control Team. With the increased number of troops in-theatre, AFBiH, EUFOR and the contributing nations were able to complete the large scale scenarios requested of them, concurrently all across BiH. Exercise Quick Response 2019 decisively proves that EUFOR along with our comrades from AFBiH, the Law Enforcement Agencies and our Reserves are at all times ready and able to respond quickly and effectively to any potential threat to the Safe and Secure Environment.
During the Distinguished Visitors Day, representatives from AFBiH, EUSR and Ambassadors of the troop contributing nations as well as other VIP’s witnessed a dynamic display showcasing elements of the training completed during the exercise. The guests were able to watch EUFOR’s Multinational Battalion supplemented by the reserve forces as well as the Armed Forces BiH and SIPA, carry out an evacuation drill, riot control, checkpoint set-up and a helicopter medical evacuation via winch.
After the dynamic display COMEUFOR Major General Reinhard Trischak said: “If I was to pick my two highlights from Exercise Quick Response 2019 the first would have to be how quickly and smoothly the reserve forces selected for this exercise were able to get into the country and integrate within EUFOR. Through a combination of strategic air lift and road transport we increased the abilities of our force extremely rapidly. My second highlight has been the professionalism that has been shown by the AFBiH and the law enforcement agencies during their involvement in the exercise. The cooperation we have seen here fills me with confidence that together we have demonstrated the commitment and ability to ensure the safe and secure environment.”
EUFOR Operation Althea is currently made up of soldiers from 20 nations. Its primary role is to support BiH efforts to maintain a safe and secure environment, whilst providing support to the overall EU comprehensive strategy for BiH.