The Turkish Armed Forces demonstrated its level of war preparedness in the light of lessons drawn from the past. Scoring heavy casualties 104 years ago on account of severe weather conditions, the Turkish Army conducted the Winter-2019 Exercises under similar conditions to prove once again that it is ready for the battle. 

At the height of the First World War, the Turkish Army lost thousands in 1914 out in the cold of Sarıkamış. Based on lessons drawn from bitter memories of the past, the Turkish Armed Forces organised in Kars the Winter-2019 Exercises. It was combined, because of international participation; joint because more than one service took part in the event; and live, because the troops were actively in the field. It also involved firing live ammunition. The Winter-2019 Combined Joint Live-Fire Exercises started on February 19.