Farewell to Troops Departing for Afghanistan

In addition to the troops who are to depart for Afghanistan to serve with the latest mission of the Hungarian Defence Forces, i.e. the Mi-17 Air Advisory Team (AAT), several staff officers leaving to fill individual positions in NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the fifth rotation of the Mi-35 Air Mentor Team (AMT) and the 11th rotation of the Hungarian Provincial Reconstruction Team (HUN PRT-11) also lined up for the ceremony in Szolnok.

A total of 240 troops are going to serve with the HUN PRT-11. The contingent includes Montenegrin, Croatian and Albanian service personnel besides the Hungarians. The commander of the contingent is Col. Dr. Romulusz Ruszin.

The first rotation of the Mi-17 Air Advisory Team commences its tour of duty in late August in Herat Province, Afghanistan. The AAT is tasked with providing classroom instruction and on-the job flying training for the crewmembers of the Mi-17 transport helicopters of the Afghan Air Force and for the ground crews of the helicopters in service with the Afghan National Army (ANA) Air Corps. The AAT is made up of eight personnel.

The fifth rotation of the Mi-35 Air Mentor Team is tasked with providing theoretical and practical flying training for the attack helicopter crews of the Afghan Air Force, and also with mentoring the ground crews and assisting in the maintenance of the helicopters of the ANA Air Corps. The leader of the 12-man AMT during the mission is Lt-Col. Zoltán Rolkó.

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