On Friday, February 15 on the range of Khilagay, the EOD technicians serving with the 13th rotation of the HDF Provincial Reconstruction Team (HUN PRT) destroyed by blasting a truckload of expired ammunition which was unfit for airlift. (Report from the spot).

The destruction of small-arms ammunition is part of closing down Camp Pannonia. In addition to the ammunition, the EOD technicians destroyed several expired fire extinguishers so that they cannot fall into wrong hands and be used to make improvized explosive devices (IEDs).

Since October 2006, the Hungarian Defence Forces have been present in Afghanistan with their Provincial Reconstruction Team to help the development of the country. The Hungarian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team will have completed its mission by the spring of 2013, and thus the Hungarian Defence Forces will withdraw their PRT contingent from Baghlan Province. Concurrently, Hungary will terminate its provincial development activity in Afghanistan.

Another event related to the withdrawal of the PRT is the redeployment of the Hungarian–American Military Advisory Team (MAT, earlier OMLT) to a new location. Instead of Khilagay base, which is situated some 15 kilometers from Pol-e Khomri, in the future the MAT will continue operating in Mazar-e Sharif, and its task system will be transformed as well.

(Krisztián Varga)