We Can Rely on Our Hungarian Brothers’ Help – Reporting from Afghanistan

Szöveg: Balázs Trautmann | 2012. június 4. 15:24

We recently visited the workplace of the HDF Logistic Mentor Team, the largest training center of the Afghan National Army (ANA).

Galéria

1599092114

1599092122

1599092123

1599092124

1599092125

1599092126

1599092127

1599092128

Over the last months, the stepped-up pace of construction and development projects has changed the look of the camp and the military training areas almost beyond recognition. The inauguration of the buildings in the new instructional compound is scheduled to take place in the first half of 2013, but the construction works are making spectacular progress.

The commandant of the Advanced Individual Logistic Training (AILT) School received us in his tent, telling us without prompting that he considers the Hungarians his friends, as they are the ones with whom he has developed the closest cooperation among the members of the German Armed Forces Technical Advisory Group (GAFTAG). The commandant – who has been serving for 25 years as an instructor and logistic expert – took command of the school four months ago. The buildings next to the current tent camp are going to be constructed with German assistance and funding, but the cement to be transported by Hungarian trucks will soon be available for laying the blind concrete foundation of a pool beside the 84 meter-deep well of the camp.

“We should always look to those areas where we are able to make a little progress, and we can rely on our Hungarian brothers’ help in doing that", the commandant told us.

During our visit the weapon maintenance training group was receiving a tutorial on a sniper rifle. It often happens that the (near)-illiterate Afghan soldiers learn the structure and maintenance of weapons by constant repetition. The situation was similar inside the cookhouse tent, where the cooks of the future were mastering the tricks of the trade from a civilian but very determined chef. The cooks finishing the course will be working in an environment which includes Afghan ingredients and dishes at a US field kitchen.

They will need what they learn here soon, since, according to the current timetable, the last combat unit of ISAF will withdraw from the country in 2014, the year when the ANA will become autonomous in terms of logistics too. That said, they will not let down Afghanistan and its military, as the support, training and mentoring units, including the GAFTAG and – in the commandant’s hopes – the Hungarian Logistic Mentor Team will continue to cooperate with the Afghan partners. The commandant believes that Afghanistan will be able to defend itself after the pullout of the ISAF troops, like it has already done during its history.