MES held tactical-special exercises in the Mugan region – PHOTO/VIDEO

Organized by the Main Operations Department and the International Search and Rescue Team of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, tactical-special exercises were held in Salyan city from June 9 to 12, 2026.

This was reported to “Elchi” by the Press Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The forces and means of the MES Mugan Regional Center, the State Fire Control Service, the State Agency for Control over Safety in Construction, the Civil Defense Troops, the Special Risky Rescue Service, and the State Service for Control over Small Vessels and Water Rescue were involved in the exercises. Additionally, relevant structural divisions of the Ministry operating in the region participated in the training.

The purpose of the exercises was to improve the management and coordination skills of the command staff, as well as to prepare personnel to carry out tasks using modern technical tools and equipment, as well as rescue methods, in large-scale emergency situations.

During the training sessions held in preparation for the exercises, presentations were made regarding participation in humanitarian operations. The speeches emphasized that, thanks to the high attention and care provided by our state, the rescue units of the Ministry of Emergency Situations have the potential to act flexibly not only within the country but also internationally in eliminating the consequences of disasters and in humanitarian missions. Furthermore, the rich experience gained by the Ministry in international humanitarian operations was shared with the audience, and relevant recommendations were provided. In addition, in accordance with the training program, presentations were made on management, coordination, and logistics standards within the framework of the UN INSARAG Secretariat’s guidelines. Participants were given detailed explanations regarding the application of the “Virtual On-Site Operations Coordination Center (VOSOCC)” and the “INSARAG Coordination and Management System (ICMS),” as well as the role of the media in humanitarian operations. During the exercises, participants were provided with theoretical information on the operating rules of the “Urban Search and Rescue Coordination Center (UCC)” and the “Reception/Departure Center (RDC),” and the establishment of a “Base of Operations (BoO)” in accordance with international rules, areas of activity and documentation, and the technical capabilities of advanced search and rescue equipment and satellite communication systems used in humanitarian operations were practically demonstrated.

The practical part of the exercises was conducted based on a scenario of eliminating the consequences of flooding caused by “continuous rain for several days” in the Mugan region and an “accident resulting in collapse” at the administrative building of a construction company operating in Salyan city. Specialists in search and rescue, engineering, and chemical-radiation defense conducted special reconnaissance measures using unmanned aerial vehicles, acoustic search equipment, radiation and chemical detection devices, and thermal cameras to assess the operational situation and locate the “injured.” Subsequently, rescuers professionally performed tasks such as “rescue from under rubble and from heights, firefighting, elimination of chemical accidents, and providing first aid to the victims” using modern equipment.

The successfully conducted exercises achieved the set goals.

At the end of the training, the progress of the theoretical and practical stages was discussed in detail with the personnel, the results of the operations were analyzed, and relevant assessments were made.