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Kahramanmaras, Turkey - Patriots Prepare for Operation - Unravel Travel TV

2,435 views · Published 4 February 2013 · 3:47 · Indexed 29 October 2026

Channel: Unravel Travel TV · 2013 · Travel & Events

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AUDIO TRANSCRIPT
In a Turkish Military base on a hill above the city of Kahramanmaras, the German Army is setting up its Patriot missile system. One by one the rocket launchers are being directed to their designated locations. Situated 100 kilometers to the north of Turkey's southern border, their mission is to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles that may threaten the Turkish people in the area.

Everyone hopes that won't be necessary. The aim of NATO's mission here in Turkey is to not only protect the population but act as a deterrent as well.

SOT: Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Daniel
"I feel good about coming here and that we're able to show Alliance solidarity. I feel confident because we're very well prepared and well trained. This will also be a very useful experience for us."

Daniel is part of the set up and maintenance team. He'll be stationed here for four months.

It's his first deployment on a NATO mission and he looks forward to working together with Turkish, Dutch, American and Danish allies.

Among other Allied troops, members of the Danish Army are here in Kahramanmaras providing the vital communications link to the NATO Command and Control Centre in Ramstein, Germany.
Unit Commander Klaus Frisk and his ten man team will ensure the NATO Commanders there will have a secure, live picture of the air space and all the data they need from the German batteries

SOT: Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Klaus Frisk, Danish Army
"One of the main ideas in NATO is the interoperability between the different nations to make sure that everyone is involved. I can say for our unit we have been doing this many years now and this is not the first time we work together with different nations. We're used to working together with the Germans, the UK and all over NATO."

So far the soldiers say they've been too busy to see the city where they'll be stationed over the coming months. The locals here have mixed feelings about the presence of foreign troops.

SOT: Mehmet (English speaking)
Well you know Turkey is part of the NATO, I think they have obligations they must follow some instructions but at the same time NATO has to understand the situation of Turkey; that we are in between Europe and this part of Islamic world so basically we as Turkish people have to be very careful. We have also to listen to our neighbours and find compromises otherwise we will be the losers."

Despite his mixed feelings Mehmet says the foreigners are welcome, the people of Kahramanmaras are generally very hospitable. Local business owners are keen to demonstrate this. In fact, the Germans are lucky to have been stationed in the ice-cream capital of Turkey. Maras Dondurmasi -- a thick ice cream made with goat's milk is what the city is most famous for.

VOX POP: Ice Cream shop owner
"Our government approved the arrival of these Patriots, they have asked for them for our own good and of course we support it. The people of Kahramanmaraş are happy with the arrival of the missiles in this city. From, the point of view of the hospitality industry, we have 400 guests to look after, it is our duty to host them well."

At the local bazaar this storekeeper also looks forward to having foreign guests in town. He hopes it will be good for business and raise the city's profile.

VOX POP: Storekeeper
"I believe it is good for Turkey. I do not think the Patriots came to our city or to our country with any bad intentions. I think our government and our prime Minister made the right decisions."

The German patriots in Kahramanmaras and the Dutch unit near Adana, together with the US patriots in Gaziantep, are set to become operational in the coming days. Together the NATO network of Patriots will cover the most densely populated areas in the region, protecting up to 3.5 million people.

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