A–10 Aircraft in Pápa

On Wednesday, US Ambassador Colleen Bell was joined by Ministry of Defence Deputy State Secretary for Defence Policy and Planning Péter Siklósi, Deputy Chief of Defence Lt.-Gen. Dr. Zoltán Orosz and Maj.-Gen. Eric Vollmecke (US Air Force Europe, USAFE) on a visit to Pápa Air Base, Hungary where they observed the joint training exercise Thunder Cloud 2015, which involved a number of American A–10s arriving in Hungary, as well as close to 300 Hungarian and some 350 US troops.

In his speech, Péter Siklósi noted that in view of the changing security environment, a Readiness Action Plan (RAP) had been approved at the Wales NATO Summit last year. According to the RAP, NATO needs to increase its presence and hold intensive exercises. In this spirit, over the recent period the Hungarian Defence Forces have participated in a series of very intensive exercises in Hungary and abroad. The Deputy State Secretary said that joint training with the US military has outstanding significance during all these training events, and this joint work is among the most spectacular priority areas of the US–Hungarian military relations. Péter Siklósi emphasized the importance of Operation Atlantic Resolve, and noted that Exercise Wise Foresight will be held in this year. Similar training programs will continue in next year as well.

US Ambassador to Budapest Colleen Bell praised the military cooperation between the United States of America and Hungary. She pointed out that “Even before 1999, when Hungary and the U.S. became Allies, our two countries have been working together for the cause of greater European freedom and stability", and added that numerous exercises have been held since. She underlined that „ over the last few years, we are witnessing the next step forward in our bilateral cooperation. As she said, “while we have long had good relations between our Air Forces, most of our joint exercises focused on ground forces interoperability. This year, we have had three opportunities for our Air Forces to work together here in Hungary […] During this exercise at Pápa, Hungarian ground controllers are working with our US Air Force colleagues to better understand each other’s systems and protocols, and to use these lessons to improve our ability to operate together as Allies. It is through exercises like this that our NATO alliance, the greatest military alliance in history, is strengthened by every small step forward that we make together."

Maj.-Gen. Eric Vollmecke emphasised that the military cooperation between the two countries is extensive, successful and useful for both sides, as we can mutually learn from each other. Thanks to the theatre security packages provided by the US Air Force, pilots can test their skills in different environments and types of airspace while conducting training events in 12 countries around Europe. The general pointed out that no nation can face today’s challenges on its own, so all NATO members must participate in joint exercises. The arrival of A–10 aircraft in Hungary is a proof of the close relations between the two countries, but the joint activity will not end with their return home, because next spring twelve  F–15C will deploy to Europe together with their crews and support equipment from the air bases of the 144th Fighter Wing (California) and the 104th Fighter Wing (Massachusetts). Like the A–10s, the F–15s will fly missions during various flying training events and off-base exercises all over Europe. According to Maj.-Gen. Vollmecke, this also shows that the United States is committed to increasing security and stability in Europe, and looks forward to further opportunities for joint exercises.

“Of all NATO allies, it is the United States that provides the greatest support to the development of the Hungarian Defence Forces’ defence capabilities", Hungarian Deputy Chief of Defence Lt.-Gen Dr. Zoltán Orosz stated. He added that apart from the substantial financial funding and transfer of equipment, there is more to the development of the armed forces than the technology side, as it is telling that since 1991, a total of around 1,300 Hungarian service personnel have participated in training programs run by the United States, and 350 of the current active-duty personnel have received such training. “During these training programs and courses, the Hungarian Defence Forces have acquired several new capabilities and have demonstrated that they efficiently fulfil their commitments in the Alliance. This is also evidenced by the fact that a number of Hungarian soldiers have received US awards over the years. We can do everything better than we did yesterday, and that’s why these joint training exercises are important", the lieutenant-general said, and also affirmed his commitment to the further strengthening of military cooperation.

Photos: László Tóth