NEWS RELEASE

0811127-NR-653-ISAF quick reaction force responds to IED attack

International Security Assistance Force - Afghanistan

Committed to the security, reconstruction and extension of governance in Afghanistan

2008-653

ISAF quick reaction force responds to IED attack

KABUL, Afghanistan (November 27) — Quick reaction force members from the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia performed double duties as they worked to ensure safe passage of the visiting NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer as well as respond to an attack by a suicide bomber Nov. 27.

The bomb was detonated from a vehicle in Massoud Square, 300 yards from the U.S. Embassy building.

Captain Saso Spasovski, commander of the 1st Mech Infantry Brigade and platoon commander for the QRF team, said his team was ready to respond to the incident within minutes of the attack.

“Our team was especially prepared because of the Secretary's visit,” he said. “I do not imply the two events are related, but because of one event, we were instantly prepared for the other.”

Sergeant Saso Nikolovski said responding to an attack leaves no room for assumptions as to what to expect when it comes to arriving on the scene.

“One expects to see bad things,” he said. “But the Kabul City Police were quick in responding, aiding injured persons and cleaning [up] the scene, so our job was made easy when it came to clearing the area for possible secondary devices.”

Spasovksi noted that while on the scene, there was a great cooperation between the QRF team, the Afghan National Army troops who arrived to assist with security, and the Kabul City Police.

“It's unfortunate that these things happen,” he said. “But the quick reaction and ability to stabilize the scene showed that Afghanistan is capable of picking itself up. And for our guys who went out to clear the area, it's just a normal day on the job for them. They are trained and prepared to do it again.”

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KABUL, Afghanistan — ISAF soldiers from the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia patrol Kabul Oct. 1. (ISAF photo by U.S. Marine Corps Corporal John Rafoss)

Notes for Editors:

1. More information on the International Security Assistance Force can be found here <http://www.nato.int/isaf>

2. The latest broadcast quality video imagery of ISAF operations can be downloaded here <http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=general/general_search.php&table=video&query=isaf&type=>

3. The latest High Resolution stills can be downloaded for news purposes here <http://www.flickr.com/photos/29456680@N06/>

Issued by Headquarters ISAF Public Affairs Office ◦ E-mail: [e-mail]

Telephone: [phone] ◦ Mobile: [phone]

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