HDF EUFOR Contingent: This Happened in May

The month of May started with a sports competition for the Hungarian peacekeepers serving in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Directorate for European Integration organized the four-kilometer road race “Run to Europe" for the third time on May 8. The EUFOR personnel, including many Hungarian troops participated in the run.

The change of command ceremony at the Austrian-led multinational battalion (MNBN) was held in Camp Butmir on May 9, with the participation of the whole personnel of the Hungarian company. COM EUFOR Maj-Gen. Bernhard Bair praised the outgoing MNBN commander, Lt-Col. Bernd Rott for his professional performance. Lt.-Col. Friedrich Ölböck took over the command of the peacekeeping battalion for the coming months.

On May 10-11, students from the general staff course of the “Miklós Zrínyi" National Defence University visited the Hungarian contingent. The guests attended several lectures in Camp Butmir, including those delivered by the COM EUFOR and Col. József Paor, the chief of the support department. The students of the course were briefed about the work of the Hungarian contingent and watched a capability demonstration. The personnel of the battalion, including the Hungarian company, carried out crowd and riot control (CRC) and helicopter-assisted operations.

In what followed, on May 12 and 13 the personnel of the Hungarian maneuver company went on a two-day company-level exercise in Tuzla, where they received MOUT training.
Of course, the Hungarians serving in Sarajevo also commemorated their fallen comrades who had been killed in a road accident in Afghanistan on May 17. The members of the contingent lowered the Hungarian flag to half-mast in Camp Butmir, lighted candles in front of the fallen heroes’ photos, and remembered the victims of the tragic accident by a silent bow.

The troops serving in Sarajevo marked the Day of the Hungarian Defence Forces on May 20, by holding a ceremonial staff meeting which included the presentation of commendations. On May 21, Hungarian Ambassador Dr. László Tóth and the representatives of the nations stationed in Camp Butmir also honored the Hungarian national day with their presence. The audience rewarded the program of the contingent with enthusiastic applause. After the event the Hungarians offered some products of traditional Hungarian cuisine to the guests.

Although the event held on May 24 did not involve the personnel of the HDF EUFOR Contingent, there were some Hungarians among the participants of the so-called Medal Parade. On that day, several peacekeepers serving in individual positions, including nine Hungarian troops were greeted upon completing their tour of duty abroad. All of them received ALTHEA medals.

 
 Photo: EUFOR-8 HUN CON