The work done by the movement specialists and logistic squad of the HDF National Support Element required several months of physical and mental preparatory activities. During this period, they transported back to Hungary the materiel of the HDF Provincial Reconstruction Team, which had been withdrawn from the Afghanistan area of operations in March.

Within the program “Lift and Sustain”, the American partner provided two C–17 transport aircraft for the airlift of over 20 pallets to Hungary. After the arrival of the containers, the personnel started washing and inspecting them to prepare them for transportation.

The size of the containers meeting US standards is different from those used by the Hungarians, so already during the transport on public roads, they required special lifting equipment and flatbed vehicles as well as transportation with lowered sideboards.

Due to their different size and type specifications, another great professional challenge was posed by the loading of the containers with the best space management possible, taking into consideration the airlift safety and customs regulations of the American partner.

As a result of the diligent and persistent work, on September 15 the first C–17 with 32 tons of cargo aboard took off at the airfield of Mazar-e Sharif. The following day, 26 tons of cargo were loaded into the cargo hold of the aircraft, which then left for Hungary.

(SFC Edit Kiss)