Attachés Visit Pápa and the Petőfi Barracks

Szöveg: Dávid Konkoly | 2016. február 12. 9:00

Organized by the MoD Department for International Cooperation, the countrywide tour of defence, air and military attachés accredited to Hungary continues into 2016 with visits to the units of the Hungarian Defence Forces. In this year, the first leg of their tour led them to the HDF Pápa Air Base (on 4 February), and the following day the attachés were received at the HDF vitéz Szurmay Sándor Budapest Garrison Brigade in the capital city.

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Since 2009, the HDF Pápa Air Base has been hosting three C–17 Globemaster cargo aircraft of the Heavy Airlift Wing (HAW). Flying with Hungarian tailflash, the airplanes operate in service of the airlift needs of the 12 nations of the Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) program.

Base Commander Col. László Gangler gave a detailed presentation on development projects launched in recent years. He said that in addition to the new air traffic control tower and a new hangar (which is soon to be completed), a number of further developments will be carried out on the aerodrome.

In what followed, HAW Vice-Commander Col. Bjorn Gohn-Hellum informed the guests about the most important features and missions of the Heavy Airlift Wing. Finally, NATO Airlift Management Program Manager Wiek Noldus gave a presentation on the Strategic Airlift Capability.

After the presentations, the attachés had opportunity to see the C–17s standing on the tarmac of the aerodrome, and also a search and rescue (SAR) helicopter, which is stationed at the air base. They finished their program by visiting a museum exhibition that shows the past 50 years of the unit.

The following day the attachés visited the Petőfi barracks in the capital city, the home station of the HDF vitéz Szurmay Sándor Budapest Garrison Brigade. Acting Regimental Commander Col. Ernő Baráth informed the guests about the history, organizational structure and tasks of the unit.

The attachés’ program finished with static displays and dynamic demonstrations given by the sub-units of the brigade.