Hungary in Afghanistan
News
Hungary Discusses Timeline for Drawdown of Forces from Afghanistan
Hungary in Afghanistan, April 23, 2012 2:07 PM
This year Hungary is not planning to significantly reduce its contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, but it has started discussions with the allies on the timeline of the expected future drawdown – Defence Minister Dr. Csaba Hende told General John Allen, the Commander of ISAF in Brussels on April 18.
Security, Efficiency and the Rate of Developments Are Key Aspects
Hungary in Afghanistan, April 13, 2012 2:13 PM
Of course, ISAF will not let Afghanistan down, it is only the current system that will be transformed radically. This was stated at a conference recently held in Camp Pannonia, Afghanistan. The event was organized on the initiative of the HDF Provincial Reconstruction Team (HUN PRT) with the aim of providing a venue for brainstorming and analyzing the lessons learned in the provinces of the northern region that had been involved in earlier phases of the transition process.
Liaison Team Provides Assistance on Remote Sites
Hungary in Afghanistan, April 10, 2012 2:18 PM
One of the core missions of the HDF Provincial Reconstruction Team is to support governmental and security organs. The HUN PRT Liaison Teams (LT) move around the districts in the area of responsibility of the contingent. Their main tasks include participation in negotiations with local leaders, and gathering information about the region. The areas in the north are quite difficult to access because sometimes they have to go across impassable mountain roads and riverbeds.
Work in Missions Is the Peak of Military Vocation
Hungary in Afghanistan, March 26, 2012 10:28 AM
The experience our soldiers gain in mission areas can be put to good use in the interest of territorial defence, the armed defence of the Homeland”, said Dr. Csaba Hende on March 20. The Minister of Defence attended in Szolnok the “Welcome Home” ceremony for the 11th rotation of the HDF Provincial Reconstruction Team (HUN PRT-11) and the farewell ceremony for the troops to deploy with the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
Honorable Visit to Camp Pannonia
Hungary in Afghanistan, March 22, 2012 10:37 AM
German Defence Minister Thomas de Maiziere paid a visit to the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in the area of responsibility of the International Security Assistance Force Regional Command-North (ISAF RC-N) in Afghanistan, accompanied by Maj.-Gen. Erich Pfeffer, the newly appointed commander of RC-N. There are Hungarian, Swedish, Turkish and Norwegian PRTs operating around the nine provinces in the AOR of the Germany-led ISAF RC-N.
We Are One Community
Hungary in Afghanistan, March 18, 2012 10:41 AM
We are working together for the future of Afghanistan and Baghlan Province. Whatever nationality we have, we are striving to achieve the same goal, which is better life and better future for the people of Baghlan – this was stated at a ceremony marking the transfer of authority between the 11th and the 12th rotations of the HDF Provincial Reconstruction Team (HUN PRT).
Assisting the Peace Process
Hungary in Afghanistan, February 15, 2012 10:45 AM
The Chief of Police of Baghlan Province recently submitted an unusual request. Gen. Asadullah Sherzad requested the HDF Provincial Reconstruction Team (HUN PRT) to help the reintegration of former insurgents into society.
The Alliance Will Not Let Afghanistan Down
Hungary in Afghanistan, February 7, 2012 10:48 AM
“The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)’s gradual transition of lead security responsibility and the related tasks to the Afghan security forces is on schedule and making steady progress province by province and region by region in Afghanistan” – Dr. Csaba Hende pointed out in Brussels. The Minister of Defence participated in the Defence Ministers’ Meeting of NATO member countries that ended on Friday, February 3.
Pentagon Increases Funding for Hungary
Hungary in Afghanistan, January 25, 2012 10:51 AM
The Pentagon is steering more money toward Eastern European allies fighting in Afghanistan, Bloomberg news agency reported on January 19, referring to a press release issued by the US Department of Defense. Hungary will receive $13.3 million in the fiscal year ending September 30, an increase from $2.87 million last year.
NATO Military Committee in Session
Hungary in Afghanistan, January 21, 2012 10:54 AM
Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő, the Chief of the MoD Defence Staff participated in a two-day NATO Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence (MC/CD) Session in Brussels.
HUN PRT-12: Ready for the Mission
Hungary in Afghanistan, December 19, 2011 10:59 AM
The soldiers of the incoming 12th rotation of the HDF Provincial Reconstruction Team (HUN PRT-12) recently mounted a culmination exercise (CULEX) to demonstrate their readiness to deploy on a mission abroad. Most of the contingent has been drawn from the HDF 5th ‘Bocskai István’ Infantry Brigade of Hódmezővásárhely.
Dr. Csaba Hende Visited Afghanistan
Hungary in Afghanistan, December 17, 2011 11:03 AM
The delegation led by the Minister of Defence Dr. Csaba Hende, which paid a five-day visit to the Hungarian military units serving in Afghanistan, arrived at the Debrecen Airport on Saturday, December 10. The Minister of Defence heard eight commander’s reports in four garrisons and seven bases, and held six staff meetings. The Minister was briefed about the security situation and tasks of our troops, and had talks with the Commander of the NATO Training Mission Afghanistan (NTM-A), with the Deputy Commander and the Hungarian Chief of Staff of ISAF Regional Command North (RC North), as well as with the Governor of Baghlan Province.
SOF Troops Recognized
Hungary in Afghanistan, December 8, 2011 11:06 AM
The servicemembers of the HDF 34th ‘Bercsényi László’ Special Operations Forces Battalion who displayed outstanding bravery in a firefight in the theatre of war in Afghanistan received medals and recognitions in the presence of their relations on November 29 in Szolnok.
Hungarian Chief of Defence Receives US SOCEUR Commander
Hungary in Afghanistan, December 7, 2011 11:23 AM
Maj.-Gen. Michael Repass, the commander of the US Special Operations Command Europe (US SOCEUR) paid a courtesy call to Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő, the Chief of the MoD Defence Staff on Monday, November 28.
Saying Thanks to the Hungarian Troops
Hungary in Afghanistan, November 28, 2011 1:02 PM
On Wednesday, November 23 Defence Minister Dr. Csaba Hende received in his office Munsi Abdul Majeed, the governor of Baghlan Province and Moh. Rasul Mohsene (Rasul Khan), the Shura leader of Baghlan Province. Also present at the meeting were Lt.-Gen. Zoltán Orosz, the Deputy Chief of the MoD Defence Staff and MoD Deputy State Secretary for Defence Policy and Planning Péter Siklósi.
HUN PRT Recovers Swedish Soldier on PR Training
Hungary in Afghanistan, October 20, 2011 1:07 PM
On October 6 around noon, the ISAF Regional Command-North (RC-N) notified the officer on duty of the HDF Provincial Reconstruction Team (HUN PRT) that a Swedish ISAF service member got separated from his unit due to external circumstances. The allied soldier in need of help could not be located exactly, so he could have been anywhere over a several square kilometers-wide area.
Hungary’s Government Stays Firm on Afghanistan Policy
Hungary in Afghanistan, October 7, 2011 1:28 PM
Hungary is going to bring in line with NATO’s plans its own mid-term Afghanistan policy which is currently under preparation, Defence Minister Dr. Csaba Hende said in Brussels on Thursday, October 6 at the NATO Defence Ministers Meeting.
Hummers for the Special Forces
Hungary in Afghanistan, July 31, 2011 1:36 PM
On Monday, July 18, the HDF 34th ‘Bercsényi László’ Special Operations Force (SOF) Battalion received 14 HMMWVs (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles). Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis, the Ambassador of the United States of America to Budapest handed over the vehicles ceremoniously to Minister of Defence Dr. Csaba Hende at the ‘Lt. Ittebei Kiss József’ Helicopter Base, Szolnok.
Another Hungarian Aid Mission in Afghanistan
Hungary in Afghanistan, July 29, 2011 1:46 PM
The HDF Provincial Reconstruction Team (HUN PRT) continues to provide assistance for the poor in Baghlan Province, Afghanistan. Last time the children living in the orphanage of Pol-e Khomri and the occupants of the widows’ house in Deh Sallah District received care packages from the Hungarians.
At Home Again After Six Months
Hungary in Afghanistan, July 7, 2011 1:55 PM
Family members and relatives greeted the Hungarian troops of the fifth rotation of the HDF Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (HDF OMLT), who have recently returned from the area of operations. The “Welcome Home” ceremony was held on Thursday, June 30 inside the ‘Klapka György’ Barracks in Tata, where Defence Minister Dr. Csaba Hende delivered a speech.
Two Hungarian soldiers killed in Afghanistan accident
Hungary in Afghanistan, May 18, 2011 5:33 PM
One of the armoured vehicles of the Hungarian Defence Forces Provincial Reconstruction Team (HDF PRT) overturned in Afghanistan yesterday. Due to the accident two Hungarian soldiers lost their lives and four were injured. (Press release)
New Humvees arrive in Afghanistan
Hungary in Afghanistan, April 29, 2011 5:37 PM
Hungarian Defence Forces have taken the delivery of new US-made Humvees on the military base of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (HDF OMLT) in Khilagay, Afghanistan.
Regional Commander visited Camp Pannonia
Hungary in Afghanistan, April 28, 2011 5:49 PM
Maj. Gen. Markus Kneip, Commander of the Hungarian Defence Forces Provincial Reconstruction Team (HDF PRT) visited Camp Pannonia in mid-April.
Hungarian troops welcomed home from Kabul
Hungary in Afghanistan, April 19, 2011 5:53 PM
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.”
Press release - Hungary extends Afghan mission
Hungary in Afghanistan, April 1, 2011 11:27 AM
The Hungarian Government has extended the mandates of HDF contingents serving in Afghanistan. The PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Team), the AMT (Air Mentor Team) and the OMLT (Operational Mentor and Liaison Team) will make further contributions to help the Central Asian country stand on its own feet as soon as possible.