Exercise Quick Response is the annual test of EUFOR’s capability to rapidly reinforce its troops in BiH with part of its reserve forces which are held at high-readiness. The exercise runs in cooperation with BiH authorities, Armed Forces BiH and Law Enforcement Agencies and will take place in locations all over BiH between the 7-11 October 2019.
The Banja Luka airport serial will comprise three situations: a demonstration, a hostage situation and a potentially dangerous abandoned luggage. It will show the cooperation between the Republika Srpska Ministry of Interior, BiH Ministry of Security, the Law Enforcement Agencies and Banja Luka International Airport.
At the opening ceremony in Camp “Butmir”, Commander of EUFOR, Major General Reinhard Trischak emphasized the importance of the exercise and readiness of soldiers.
“In the series of exercises this year, this exercise will be the ambitious one, will be exercised in multiple areas throughout BiH,” Trischak said, adding that the exercise will bring BiH’s law enforcement agencies, BiH’s Armed Forces and EUFOR to test the capability to be mutually supporting.
He explained that Quick Response is the longstanding annual test of EUFOR’s capability to rapidly reinforce its troops in BiH with part of its reserve forces which are held at high-readiness in partner nations.
“We are capable of addressing any challenge that threats safe and secure environment,” Trischak said explaining that soldiers come from 8 countries including Austria, Italy, Hungary, Romania, and the United Kingdom.
For his part, deputy of BiH’s minister of security Mijo Kresic said that BiH’s police agencies will be involved in implementation of the exercise scenarios at Sarajevo and Banja Luka International Airports.
He explained that members of BiH police and State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) will participate in exercise of hostage crisis and abandoned luggage.
“We expect that this year’s exercise will demonstrate the readiness of all actors to efficiently react in cases of complex security threats,” Kresic said.
In his speech Sead Jusic, deputy of minister of defense, pointed out that cooperation of BiH’s Armed Forces with EUFOR contributes to strengthening of operational capabilities, as well as achieving the highest professionalism in carrying the mandated tasks.
Running from Oct.7-11, the exercise will take place in cities of Trebinje, Bileca and Capljina demonstrating that the citizens of BiH can be assured of EUFOR’s and agencies joined and combined commitment to ensure safe 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 European Union comprehensive strategy for BiH.
