Next Rotation of EUFOR HUNCON Trains in Szentes

Szöveg: Capt. László Juhász | 2012. április 16. 8:40

The pre-deployment training for the 11th rotation of the HDF EUFOR contingent to deploy in the area of operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina is in “full swing” at the HDF 37th Ferenc Rákóczi II Engineer Regiment in Szentes. The soldiers of the unit are preparing for peacekeeping tasks in Szentes, together with the personnel of the HDF 12th Arrabona SAM Regiment of Győr.

The pre-deployment training for the contingent started at the end of February. For four weeks, the soldiers were undergoing the first phase, the basic individual training in their own garrisons. Their program included basic military skills, individual basic target practice and training in peace support operations.

The next phase continues with the trade training, an important element of which has been the type training and classifying examination for the motor vehicle drivers. During the classroom instruction and practical sessions, the personnel to deploy with the mission learnt about the components and structure of the vehicles. Then they took a refresher course on the Highway Code, and learnt how the rules of the road in Bosnia-Herzegovina differ from the Hungarian ones.

The practical part of the training took place in the military training area of Sándorfalva, where the soldiers gained the required experience in driving different types of Mercedes, Unimog, Ural, MAN and Volkswagen vehicles. They learnt the various ways of movement like traveling on upward/downward slopes, slaloming and overcoming water obstacles. This was followed up by a long-distance driving practice and a night driving. They also practiced how to drive across contaminated terrain sectors in gas masks.

WO József Körmendi, the commander in charge of the training, a member of the examination board told us that the drivers had mastered both the theoretical knowledge and the practical techniques in the field. The infantrymen of the contingent carried out the target practice with the use of the special and collective weapons in service with the EUFOR maneuver company. At the end of this phase, on April 5 they had a range day in Dóc where they executed live firing tasks. They fired with assault rifles, machine guns, sniper rifles, shotguns and grenade launchers.

The last phase of the training, the force training for the regiment of Szentes will start on April 16.