Military Aviation and NCO Training in Focus

CMSgt. Diego Cagnazzo, the senior NCO designated by the Italian Chief of Defence arrived at the building of the Ministry of Defence on Balaton St. for an official professional visit in the spirit of the historically and traditionally good relations, within the framework of continuous, systematic bilateral military cooperation.

CSM István Kriston, the Command Sergeants Major of the Hungarian Defence Forces received the guest in his office in the morning of Tuesday, April 24. Col. Giuseppe Tortorelli, the liaison officer between the Hungarian and the Italian armed forces also participated in the meeting.

On the first day of his visit, Diego Cagnazzo was introduced to the organizational structure of the Ministry of Defence and the Hungarian Defence Forces and the key elements of their activities, and received an update on several current issues. His program continued at the HDF NCO Academy in Szentendre, where he watched a skill development training session and another training session at the Csobánka base as well as the HDF ‘Kinizsi Pál’ NCO Vocational School.

On Wednesday, April 25 the visit continued at the HDF 86th Szolnok Helicopter Base, where the guest learned about the unit, watched a live fire exercise and saw the Aviation History Display Site. In what followed, Diego Cagnazzo held a presentation on the Italian armed forces and NCO corps and education system, and on the role of the Command Senior Enlisted Leaders (CSEL) in the international environment.

The Italian Chief Master Sergeant’s visit finishes on April 26 with seeing the Parliament building, the Holy Crown, the changing of the crown guards, Buda Castle, the MoD Military History Institute and Museum and with other cultural programs.