Head of Department Visits Afghanistan

After receiving reports from the senior mentors posted to individual positions and the senior staff officers, Attila Demkó learnt about the weapons and military equipment used by the Military Advisory Team.

The program continued with a visit to Kabul International Airport, where the head of department met the Hungarian soldiers serving there.

The task structure of the allies has recently undergone substantial changes, so starting from January 2015 the NATO forces – including the Hungarian troops – are going to take on the challenges of a task system in a supporting and mentoring role. The Hungarian troops, among others, participate in the new mission with the HDF Force Protection Platoon to be set up; the head of the defence policy department received detailed information about the tasks of this sub-unit as well.

While in Mazar-e Sharif, Attila Demkó laid a wreath by the heroes’ wall in Camp Marmal, and lit candles in memory of the Hungarian soldiers who died in Afghanistan missions.

The delegation met the chief of staff of the Train Advise Assist Command North (TAAC-N), who gave a presentation on the situation in Afghanistan and the German–Hungarian cooperation. The deputy commander of the region talked about the expected challenges of NATO’s role in the future. Col. Sarat spoke with appreciation about the Hungarian troops’ activity, praising their high professional standards and the results they achieved.

At the end of the visit, the delegation had opportunity to watch an An–124 Ruslan heavy transport aircraft while the soldiers of the National Support Element were loading a 72-ton cargo on board.

Photo: NSE