The Hungarian troops returning from HDF KAIA SOG (Hungarian Defence Forces Staff Officer Group at Kaia International Airport) were welcomed at HDF 59th Szentgyörgyi Dezső Air Base, in Kecskemét. At the welcome home ceremony Minister of Defence Csaba Hende said: ’’ The six-month job of the Hungarian contingent has been highly evaluated by the NATO ISAF Command.”

The welcome home ceremony was held in Kecskemét, on 12 April. The soldiers returning home from HDF KAIA SOG (Hungarian Defence Forces Staff Officer Group at Kaia International Airport) were welcomed by Minister of Defence Csaba Hende, General Dr Tibor Benkő, Chief of Defence Staff HDF, Major General Zoltán Pintér, Air Force Chief, HDF Joint Force Command and Major General László Domján, Director General, Military Security Office of the Republic of Hungary. Mrs. Dezső Szentgyörgyi, the widow of Dezső Szentgyörgyi, the eponym of the Air Base and her son, Jr. Dezső Szentgyörgyi also attended the ceremony.

In recognition of their military service completed abroad Minister of Defence presented seventy-six soldiers of the second rotation of HDF KAIA Staff Officer Group the Service Medal for Peacekeeping. The awards were handed over by Minister of Defence Csaba Hende, General Dr Tibor Benkő, Chief of Defence Staff HDF, Major General Zoltán Pintér, Air Force Chief, HDF Joint Force Command and Major General László Domján, Director General, Military Security Office of the Republic of Hungary.

Brigadier General Nándor Kilián, Lieutenant Colonel Barna Jenei and Senior Warrant Officer László Nagy were awarded for their outstanding military accomplishments on peacekeeping mission. Major Gábor Csokona, Capain László Makai, Warrant Officer Sándor Zadravecz, Sergeant First Class Ildikó Becze, and Staff Sergeant Zoltán Ferkó were presented a memento by the Commanding General of the HDF Joint Force Command.

(Ministry of Defence)