Five hundred soldiers from the PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Team), KFOR contingent and ISAF (International Assistance Security Force) returned from a six-month deployment on March 25. The troops were welcomed home by Minister of Defence Dr Csaba Hende, General Dr Tibor Benkő, Chief of the Defence Staff of the Hungarian Defence Forces and Mayor of Hódmezővásárhely Dr János Lázár.

We have completed our tasks in the operational area and transferred the troops home, Col. Dr Péter Lippai, Commander of HDF PRT-9, Lieut. Col. László Kanyó, Commander of HDF KFOR-3 and Lieut. Col. Attila Tóth, ISAF Senior Officer reported to Defence Minister.

Welcome home, Dr Csaba Hende addressed the troops in Hódmezővásárhely. You have faced danger for the sake of the nation. You have accomplished all assigned tasks serving the goals of the missions. Thank you for serving. Thank you for your serving the homeland. Your mission has been accomplished today. Afterwards Dr János Lázár, Mayor of Hódmezővásárhely addressed the homecoming soldiers: On behalf of the citizens of Hódmezővásárhely I pledge to support the efforts and international ambitions of the HDF.

The Hungarian troops were presented service signs for peacekeeping by Minister of Defence Dr Csaba Hende, General Dr Tibor Benkő, Chief of Defence Staff of the HDF, Brigadier General János Huszár as well as Deputy Commander of Joint Forces Command HDF, Brigadier General Dr Gábor Bőröndi, Commander of HDF 5th István Bocskai Infantry Brigade and Colonel József Kovács, Garrison Commander of Hódmezővásárhely.

(kormany.hu, HM Press office)