International Mil-to-Mil Artillery Workshop in Tata

Szöveg: Captain Enikő Földházi | 2019. július 23. 9:12

The HDF 25th Klapka György Infantry Brigade’s artillerymen and experts dealing with fire support exchanged experience with their American colleagues in Tata between 16th and 18th July.

Major Rudolf Kézi, the Chief of Staff of the 101st Artillery Division of the Tata Brigade said that the event took place as part of the United States International Military Education & Training (IMET) program, and the “mil-to-mil" type of artillery workshop was held for the soldiers now for the first time in the Hungarian Defence Forces. In addition to the artillery officer and NCO personnel of the Tata Brigade, the soldiers working in the fire support branch of the HDF 5th Bocskai István Infantry Brigade also participated in the event. Chief Warrant Officer Adam DeMartin and Sergeant Major Travis Stoddard came from the US Ground Forces 173. Airborne Brigade, Vicenza, Italy, to the Tata Brigade for the three-day-event to familiarize their Hungarian colleagues with the US Fire Support Planning and Targeting Methodology.

The US artillerymen highly commended the Hungarian soldiers’ language proficiency and technical knowledge: during the three days a lively discussion was held in the topics related to artillery, thanks to which both the Americans and the Hungarians were enriched with new knowledge. Moreover, Chief Warrant Officer Adam DeMartin and Sergeant Major Travis Stoddard highlighted the friendly welcome they received, and that the people in Tata treated them almost as family members. In the opinion of all the participants the professional exchange of experience was a success. In the near future more similar events are expected at the unit, in the framework of the preparation for the international exercises and technical developments ahead of the artillery branch of service.