SACEUR Receives Hungarian Medal

The primary purpose of Hungarian Chief of Defence Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő’s official visit to Mons was, on behalf of the President of Hungary, to present Gen. Philip M. Breedlove – NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and Commander of United States European Command (EUCOM) – with the Commander’s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit with star, military division. The President of Hungary awarded the medal to Gen. Breedlove in recognition of his dedicated efforts to support the enhancement of Hungary’s defence capabilities, the development of the Hungarian Defence Forces (HDF) Pápa Air Base, the generation of the Special Forces capability in the HDF and the establishment of a NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU) in Hungary.

The award citation includes a detailed list of the capability development projects implemented in the Hungarian Defence Forces with Gen. Breedlove’s effective support, such as the activation of the Heavy Airlift Wing (HAW), the infrastructure development at HDF Pápa Air Base, the generation of the Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) and Special Forces capabilities and the establishment of a Hungarian NFIU.

In his speech, Gen. Breedlove emphasized the Hungarian soldiers’ above-average commitment. In referring to their professionalism, he said that “your nation has set the standards very high". He also praised the outstanding role of the Hungarian Defence Forces in operations abroad, the exceptionally quick and exemplary progress made in the generation of the HDF Special Forces capability and Hungary’s military role in the NATO Readiness Action Plan (RAP). As part of his official program, Gen. Tibor Benkő paid a visit to the NATO Special Operations Forces Headquarters, where he had a discussion with the commander, Lt.-Gen. Marshall B. Webb.

During his visit to Mons, the Hungarian Chief of Defence met with Hungary’s ambassador to NATO Dr. Péter Sztáray, Military Representative of Hungary to NATO Maj.-Gen. László Domján, and Hungarian National Military Representative to SHAPE Maj.-Gen. László Frigyer. Gen. Benkő’s official program concluded with a staff meeting, where the Chief of Defence had conversation with the Hungarian personnel serving at SHAPE and told them about the primary tasks of the Hungarian Defence Forces regarding the illegal migration, issues concerning organizational changes in the Ministry of Defence and the Hungarian Defence Forces, and also about the plans and possibilities for development.

Photo: SHAPE