There are more than 250 Hungarian soldiers living and working at the camp of Kabul International Airport (KAIA). Whenever they are off duty, they spend their daily free time here too.

The soldiers serving with the second rotation of the HDF Kabul International Airport Force Protection Contingent (HDF KAIA FPC) have a range of options available for free-time activities. The largest center is the 24/7 open Moral and Welfare Activities (MWA) area, which comprises three huge interconnected tents.

The first houses some cinema rooms and a computer room for internet use. The other two parts of the complex offer opportunity for doing various sports. The cardio section accommodates fitness equipment – e.g. elliptical trainers, exercise bikes and treadmills – which help strengthen the cardio-vascular system and maintain its conditions. At an elevation of close to 1,800 meters where KAIA is situated, this kind of exercise provides excellent opportunity to develop stamina. The soldiers wishing to build their bodies can use the equipment and weights inside the gym tent.

The servicemen can find time for less active forms of leisure in the cafés and bars operated by various nations. Besides non-alcoholic drinks (drinking alcohol is prohibited in the whole area of the camp), the most popular and biggest bar, the N2 offers a venue for playing snooker and using the internet, and salsa evenings are also held here at the weekends.

You can buy almost anything you may need here during your six-month tour at the camp post exchanges (PX). The Afghan bazaar in the area of the camp is the place where you can buy gifts for family members and friends. Here the local vendors sell artifacts and gifts made in Afghanistan.

(HDF KAIA FPC-2 PAO)