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Turkish QRF is Ready for Missions

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Turkish soldiers unload from American UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters during a quick reaction Force exercise Oct. 22, in Crep/Crepana, Kosovo. The Soldiers were validated on their abilities to unload the aircraft at a designated landing zone, then secure the area in case more aircraft need to land. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Sarah A. Cummings, 130th Public Affairs Detachment, Connecticut National Guard)

Turkish Sgt. Mirsat Uykan receives a fake injury for the Turkish contingent from Multinational Battle Group East Quick Reaction Force validation exercise Oct. 22. The scenario had Uykan and another Turkish soldier in a car accident in Crep/Crepana, Kosovo, where both soldiers were injured and medevac was called in. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Sarah A. Cummings, 130th Public Affairs Detachment, Connecticut National Guard)

Turkish soldiers dismount their vehicles in full Crowd and Riot Control gear during their Quick Reaction Force validation Oct. 22. The Soldiers then formed a perimeter, secured the area and set up a traffic control point. Each movement and decision made was assessed and factored into the validation. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Sarah A. Cummings, 130th Public Affairs Detachment, Connecticut National Guard)

Turkish 1st Lt. Basar Baysal, platoon leader, 6th Motorized Turkish Company, walks away from the landing zone as an American UH-60 Medical Black Hawk Helicopter lands to pick up the injured personnel and transfer them back to Camp Bondsteel during the Quick Reaction Force validation exercise Oct. 22. Calling in for a medevac was one of the tasks covered in the QRF validation. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Sarah A. Cummings, 130th Public Affairs Detachment, Connecticut National Guard)

Turkish soldiers load notionally injured soldiers onto an American UH-60 Medical Black Hawk Helicopter during the Quick Reaction Force validation exercise Oct. 22. Calling in for a medevac was one of the tasks covered in the QRF validation. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Sarah A. Cummings, 130th Public Affairs Detachment, Connecticut National Guard)

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October 29, 2010
Pfc. Sarah A. Cummings, 130th Public Affairs Detachment

CREP/CREPANA, Kosovo – The Turkish contingent of Multinational Battle Group East went through Quick Reaction Force validation, Oct. 22, near Crep/Crepana, Kosovo. A scenario was put into play that would show the capabilities of the Turkish QRF element.
 

The training scenario involved a vehicle accident in which two Turkish soldiers were injured. The driver was knocked unconscious and the passenger sustained a serious head wound and a compound fracture on his upper arm.
 

The QRF team would be required to cordon off the crash site, control traffic in and out of the area, secure a landing zone, implement crowd control if necessary and assist any wounded personnel.
 

The QRF element rotates periodically, shifting responsibility between the multinational maneuver units of MNBG E. Each new element has to go through classes and then a validation before assuming the QRF mission.
 

The validation of the incoming QRF focuses on the element’s abilities in every area of response; radio use, medevac procedures, securing a perimeter and a landing zone for aircraft, hot and cold loading of a helicopter, as well as assessing the response time of the element, said Chief Warrant Officer 5 James Bearden, Keller, Texas, liaison officer and Blackhawk pilot, Task Force Aviation, MNBG E.
 

“We are the first team to respond outside the gate,” said Turkish 1st Lt. Basar Baysal, platoon leader, 6th Motorized Turkish Company.
 

After a call is made, the QRF team has to leave post within one hour, and has one additional hour to arrive at the site if they are going by ground. When the QRF deploys by air, the team has one hour to arrive at the scene, said Baysal.
 

“When conducting QRF exercises we are always looking for ways to improve landing zone security, traffic control, and ways to provide situational awareness to the JOC (Joint Operations Center),” said Bearden, a member of the Arkansas National Guard.
 

From car accidents to Crowd and Riot Control, the QRF is ready at a moment’s notice to respond.
 

“I think my soldiers are very qualified. They are motivated and disciplined,” said Baysal.

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