Heavy Airlift Wing of Pápa Reaches Full Operational Capability

The reaching of Full Operational Capability is a significant milestone in the history of the HAW. From the arrival of the first Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in Pápa to the present day (July 2009 – November 2012) the unit has flown over 8,000 flight hours, delivered more than 53 000 tons of cargo and transported over 32,000 passengers for the SAC nations to 6 continents and dozens of countries, including Haiti, Afghanistan, Pakistan, South Africa and Europe.

The Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) is a program running at the Hungarian Defence Forces Pápa Air Base, which is based on the close cooperation of twelve nations operating three C-17 aircraft. The participating nations are Bulgaria, Estonia, Norway, Hungary, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Finland, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden and the United States of America.

The Wing was activated on July 27, 2009; it reached Initial Operational Capability (IOC) on May 25, 2010. The Wing can safely and effectively conduct the entire range of missions assigned to it with three C-17 aircraft, full manning, sufficient infrastructure and logistical sustainment. By reaching the full operational capability, the HAW is able to produce the annual flight hours required by the SAC participating nations.

The 12 participating nations of the program have built a special team in Pápa, which provides a worldwide textbook example of pooling and sharing resources. The SAC participating nations are thankful to those organizations providing support to the HAW, especially Hungary, the host nation and the NATO Support Organization.

The statement was made during the semi-annual meeting of the SAC Steering Board and the NATO Airlift Management Programme Board held in Tallin, Estonia.