Tango-Tango

Following the decision by the Spanish government to assist the Turkish government in providing aid to earthquake victims the Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, disposed that the Army’s Southern Advanced Medical Echelon (EMAT South) would depart for Turkey as soon as possible. The unit, which is based in Seville, left aboard an Air Force plane with an assignment to “offer medical assistance to earthquake victims”.

The operation began on 20-21 August 1999, when the EMAT team and equipment were taken to the Morón Air Base; they departed on 22 August at 14:00. EMAT South closed its facilities in Turkey on 28 September and was flown back to Spain by Turkish Airlines on 6th October 1999.

The Turkish authorities provided support in the form of transport, food, fuel and security. The Spanish International Cooperation Agency (AECI) made arrangements with the Prime Minister’s Earthquake Crisis Centre in Ankara in order to obtain a 1,000 sqm space to set up a base for the Spanish unit.

The volume and weight transported was 24 cubic feet and 22 tonnes, respectively – not counting the passengers. EMAT South arrived with medical supplies for fifteen days and 1,500 people. Further supplies were acquired both from Spain and locally.

The EMAT South unit was made up of 38 members distributed as follows:

•    Commander and Top Brass.
•    Support team.
•    Stabilisation team.
•    Surgical team.
•    Dental team.
•    Pharmaceutical team.
•    Veterinary team.
•    Paediatric team.
•    Satellite communications team.

EMAT South was deployed to the small village of Halidere in Izmit province not far from Gölcük. The Spanish Military Attaché was in charge of liaising with the Turkish Crisis Cabinet. The first casualties arrived for treatment from the Topel naval-air base and a camp with a capacity for 8,000 people was set up near the EMAT South base.

The unit’s medical assistance statistics were as follows:

•    6,409 patients treated.
•    382 patients admitted.
•    49 surgical procedures.
•    11 evacuations.