Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

The team comprised 118 individuals, including 49 soldiers from the ROKA Special Warfare Command and Armed Forces Medical Command

Saved eight individuals and administered urgent medical care

P1. The individuals belonging to the initial Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) that was dispatched to assist in the rescue of those affected by the earthquake in Turkey have arrived back at Seoul Air Base on February 18th. They were photographed in front of the Air Force KC-330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). Provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

P2. Park Jeong-hwan, who is the Army Chief of Staff and standing on the right, is encouraging the soldiers of the Special Warfare Command upon their return from their relief efforts in earthquake-stricken areas of Turkey. Provided by the Army

"We are grateful for the assistance provided by the Korean helpers who came here." "We regret not being able to offer more aid, and we express our gratitude to you for welcoming us during this time of hardship."

On February 8, the initial group of the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) was sent to Turkey to provide aid and assistance to areas affected by the earthquake. The team of 118 people, which included 49 soldiers from the Army Special Warfare Command and the Armed Forces Medical Command, has successfully finished their mission and returned to Seoul Air Base on February 18. They managed to rescue nine survivors in total.

Upon their arrival at the airbase, the team was welcomed by several officials including Park Jeong-hwan, the Army Chief of Staff, Seok Yong-gyu (Brig. Gen.), the Commander of the 1st Airborne Special Forces Brigade of the Special Warfare Command, Lee Do-hoon, the Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nam Hwa-young, who was representing the superintendent of the National Fire Agency, and Ambassador Salih Murat Tamer from the Turkish Embassy in Korea.

According to Won Do-yeon, the leader of the KDRT, the rescue team has successfully finished various tasks including rescuing survivors, retrieving bodies, collaborating with other countries' rescue teams, and working in coordination with Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency in the areas affected by the earthquake.

Park Jeong-hwan, the Army Chief of Staff, motivated the team by recalling that during the Korean War, the Turkish soldiers bravely fought to defend the freedom of the Republic of Korea, even though they were far away from their own country. Therefore, he emphasized that the Republic of Korea is glad to assist in relieving their pain during this disaster. He also acknowledged that the rescue mission was no less challenging than a battlefield, and the team's efforts in saving lives have greatly contributed to strengthening the friendship between Korea and Turkey, as well as promoting global peace.

Vice Minister Lee expressed his gratitude towards the rescue team for their unwavering commitment in carrying out their mission despite the perilous conditions they faced. Ambassador Tamer from the Turkish Embassy in Korea also conveyed his appreciation for the KDRT's dedicated efforts.

The first group sent to Turkey for disaster relief consisted of 43 soldiers from the Special Warfare Command, six from the Medical Command, as well as individuals from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Fire Agency, and Korea International Cooperation Agency. They were transported on an Air Force KC-330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) on February 6 (local time), immediately after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake had struck Turkey and Syria. This was the largest disaster relief team Korea had ever sent overseas. They began their operations in Antakya, Hatay Province, which had been severely impacted by the earthquake, as soon as they arrived in Turkey on February 8.

The soldiers from the Special Warfare Command demonstrated their rapid mobilization capabilities and emergency response readiness, which they had developed through their rigorous and regular training drills, as a disaster response unit. They were able to put their training into action and respond quickly to the disaster in Turkey.

The soldiers from the Armed Forces Medical Command also played a crucial role in the rescue operations. They measured the vital signs of survivors at the disaster sites and administered first aid. Additionally, the emergency relief personnel from Korea provided injury treatment and medical counseling to survivors, and assisted them in regaining their emotional stability. They even provided emergency treatment to injured sniffer dogs by seeking guidance from veterinarian officers from the medical command in Korea, utilizing a military emergency patient reporting application.

After undergoing a medical examination to check their health and a PTSD evaluation, the personnel will resume their regular duties.

<By Chae-Mu, Im <lims86@dema.mil.kr > 

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