Following the government's decision that Sweden should send aid to Turkey, a task was assigned to the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), which in turn made a support request to the Swedish Armed Forces. A military transport aircraft was swiftly loaded with aid materials and specially trained personnel from F 17 and Swedec.
– The operation today is part of the overall support package that Sweden is contributing. From MSB's side, we will continue to support with the resources needed to assist and facilitate the crucial rescue work in Turkey and Syria, says MSB's Director General Charlotte Petri Gornitzka.
Already on Tuesday, a team consisting of requested expertise travelled to Turkey after Sweden responded to a request through the coordination centre within the EU's Civil Protection Mechanism. The experts assist in work such as logistics, IT communications, and administration.
– The Swedish Armed Forces have unique skills and resources that will be a great support on site. We are sending, among other things, dogs trained to use their noses as sensors to find people, and personnel trained to search for and rescue individuals in demolished buildings and dangerous debris, says the Chief of the Swedish Armed Forces' Operations Command, Carl-Johan Edström.
The Swedish Armed Forces are also contributing medical resources in the form of a light trauma group with a doctor, nurse, and specialist medical personnel, as well as a mobile medical team capable of providing care and life-sustaining measures in hard-to-reach locations.