The United States Is Committed to Implementing NATO’s Goals

In his speech, Gen. Hodges pointed out that “this exercise is a manifestation of the decision of 28 nations of NATO last year at the Warsaw Summit to transition from assurance to deterrence…In order to deter aggression, we have to demonstrate our capabilities". The COMUSAREUR added that Hungary is a great ally and “its location in Eastern Europe is strategically important, and a base like Pápa gives us a terrific staging area from which to exercise and train throughout Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region. Without the Hungarian Defence Forces’ support, we would have a much more difficult time providing stability and security in Eastern Europe."

Chief of Defence Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő stated that Hungarian commanders are leading three live phases of the exercise series which involve Hungarian military organizations and multinational forces. Recently, the Hungarian Defence Forces practiced tactical river crossing at Győr, last week they demonstrated the use of the Special Operations Forces’ capabilities in Szolnok, and on Thursday they will hold Exercise Brave Warrior in the Bakony Hills. They are participating in the Pápa exercise as providers of host nation support, Gen. Benkő added.

The chief of defence stated that the well-planned, well-organized and circumspectly led exercise provides a great opportunity to train our soldiers, to conduct of the maneuvers collectively and to practice exercise planning and troop leadership procedures.

Chargé d’Affairs of the US Embassy Budapest David Kostelancik emphasized that different types of external threats require us to give dynamic responses to them. As he said, we have to fight and exercise shoulder to shoulder so that we can guarantee the security and sovereignty of all of our NATO allies", he said.

After the press briefing on the exercise, in an interview to Hungarian news agency MTI Deputy Minister Tamás Vargha, Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence pointed out that in making decisions, the government of Hungary is primarily guided by the security of Hungarians. The government also gave proof of this when illegal and uncontrolled migration reached Hungary. Since then, in conjunction with police forces, Hungarian soldiers are protecting the people of Hungary behind the security barrier built along the border, Mr. Vargha added. As he said, security is the guiding principle of these exercises too. At the event, the state secretary presented Frederick Ben Hodges with the military class of the Medium Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit, which has been conferred on the COMUSAREUR by President of Hungary János Áder.

Exercise Swift Response 2017 falls under Exercise Saber Guardian 2017, a high-visibility USAREUR-led training event, which is joined by several NATO member countries including Hungary. In answer to a question from MTI, Gen. Frederick Ben Hodges revealed that the 18 connected exercise series involve close to 45,000 troops.

During the US-led exercise Swift Response 2017, between 22 June and 22 July, the participating US forces, including the nominated personnel of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team and the 2nd Cavalry Regiment are stationed at HDF Pápa Air Base from where they conduct airborne operations in Romania and Bulgaria.

Photos by Csaba Krizsán and Mária Krasznai-Nehrebeczky