EUFOR hosted the Distinguished Visitors Day of Exercise Quick Response 2026 at Mostar Airport, bringing together senior representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the diplomatic community, troop-contributing nations and international partners to observe the capabilities developed and tested throughout EUFOR’s annual multinational exercise.
Commander of EUFOR, Major General Maurizio Fronda, welcomed distinguished guests to the event, which provided an opportunity to observe a coordinated multinational training scenario and receive an overview of the principal activities conducted across Bosnia and Herzegovina during Exercise Quick Response 2026.
During the Distinguished Visitors Day, French, Austrian and Romanian troops established security across the wider exercise area using ground vehicles, creating the conditions for the subsequent phases of the activity.
Italian paratroopers then conducted an airborne insertion from a CH-47 Chinook and secured a designated area following their landing. Their deployment demonstrated the speed and flexibility of airborne forces and the ability to rapidly establish a presence on the ground.
Dutch paratroopers followed with a helicopter insertion from a CH-47F Chinook before conducting an assault on a building occupied by simulated armed elements. The Dutch troops secured the objective, entered the building and detained the opposing force as part of the exercise scenario.
A Greek Explosive Ordnance Disposal team also responded to a simulated improvised explosive device identified close to the exercise area, demonstrating the specialist capabilities required to secure the environment and support the continuation of operations. A Hungarian medical team then deployed by H225M helicopter to treat and evacuate a simulated casualty, testing coordination between ground forces, aviation assets and medical personnel.
The demonstration brought together ground manoeuvre, airborne insertion, force protection, explosive ordnance disposal and medical evacuation capabilities within a single multinational scenario. It provided distinguished visitors with a practical demonstration of EUFOR’s ability to integrate different national contingents and specialist capabilities under a common command structure.
Exercise Quick Response 2026 tested EUFOR’s ability to reinforce its in-theatre forces, integrate reserve elements and employ multinational capabilities across Bosnia and Herzegovina. The exercise assessed key aspects of operational readiness, including command and control, logistics, mobility, communications, aviation support and interoperability between contributing nations.
A central element of the exercise was the reinforcement process itself. Reserve forces deployed into Bosnia and Herzegovina, moved to designated areas, integrated with EUFOR personnel already in theatre and operated within the existing command structure. This allowed EUFOR to test the procedures and coordination required to reinforce the mission rapidly and effectively.
The exercise also provided an important opportunity to test and further improve coordination with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and law enforcement agencies. Through realistic scenarios conducted at multiple locations, EUFOR forces trained alongside and in support of the relevant authorities, strengthening practical coordination and interoperability.
For the first time during EUFOR’s annual Quick Response exercise, paratroopers were employed as part of the reinforcement process. Italian paratroopers deployed directly from Italy by air and conducted an airborne insertion over Mostar before participating in further multinational training activities, demonstrating an additional means by which EUFOR reserve forces can reinforce the mission rapidly when required.
Throughout Exercise Quick Response 2026, multinational troops conducted simultaneous activities at locations across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ground forces, airborne assets and specialist capabilities were employed in scenarios designed to test rapid deployment, coordination and the integration of reserve forces with troops already deployed in theatre.
Conducting concurrent operations across multiple locations placed demands on command and control, logistics, mobility, communications and coordination. This allowed EUFOR to assess not only the performance of individual units, but the ability of the mission as a whole to receive, integrate, move and employ multinational forces effectively.
The Distinguished Visitors Day at Mostar Airport provided a visible demonstration of the readiness, interoperability and multinational capabilities developed throughout Exercise Quick Response 2026. Distinguished guests included senior representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s institutions, the international community and EUFOR’s military partners.
International guests included H.E. Mr Luigi Soreca, Head of the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina and EU Special Representative; Mr Louis Crishock, Acting High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Lieutenant General Ludovic Pinon de Quincy, Vice Chief of Staff and EU Operation Commander Operation ALTHEA; and Major General Özkan Ulutaş, Commander KFOR.
From Bosnia and Herzegovina, attendees included H.E. Dr Denis Bećirović, Chair of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Mr Željko Komšić and H.E. Ms Željka Cvijanović, Members of the Presidency; Mr Zukan Helez, Minister of Defence; Mr Ivica Bošnjak, Deputy Minister of Security; Mr Aleksandar Goganović and Mr Slaven Galić, Deputy Ministers of Defence; Mr Ramo Isak, Minister of Internal Affairs of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Mr Admir Katica, Minister of the Interior of Sarajevo Canton; and Lieutenant General Gojko Knežević, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Through regular and demanding training, EUFOR maintains a credible and responsive capability to reinforce its presence and support the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in maintaining a safe and secure environment for all citizens.
