Reaching Full Operational Capability

Szöveg: Lt. Andor Gyeginszky | 2014. szeptember 4. 9:00

The augmented HDF KFOR Contingent has reached full operational capability (FOC). During a validation exercise held on August 23, the Hungarian peacekeepers demonstrated to an international committee their readiness to execute peacekeeping tasks. (Photo story).

In the event of a call-out, Crowd Riot Control (CRC) is one of the primary tasks of Hungarian peacekeepers.

Thanks to their thorough training, the soldiers know the proper posture, techniques and procedures, so they can use them to reduce to the minimum the impact of improvised incendiary devices (fuel-filled bottles classed as lethal weapons).

The soldiers have undergone “Fire Phobia" training to overcome anxiety caused by instinctual fear of fire.

The immediate professional reaction reduces the risk of injuries to the minimum, but its failure may result in serious injuries.

The Portuguese troops playing the role of the opposing force (OPFOR) placed the Hungarians in some unexpected situations.

Based on their performance during the exercise, an international committee of experts assessed the personnel of the 11th rotation of the HDF KFOR Contingent as being capable of deployment in real-life contingencies.

Command and Cohesion – the Hungarians’ professional and effective action forced the OPFOR to give ground continuously.

Drawn mainly from the HDF 25th “Klapka György" Infantry Brigade of Tata, the soldiers of the contingent handled the extraordinary situations in a disciplined way, as they had been trained to do so.

The OPFOR does not retreat, so the Hungarians deploy a water cannon too.

The peacekeepers are being attacked with PET bottles, stones and sticks.

The Hungarian soldiers have been trained to snatch the leader of the crowd too.

Once snatched from the crowd, the rioter is being neutralized behind the first line.

The exercise scenario is based on real-life events, and simulates the most realistic circumstances possible.

During an intensive training phase, the Hungarian peacekeepers deployed in Pristina and Novo Selo primarily rehearsed CRC tasks, patrolling, manning checkpoints and setting up observation posts.

In a heat of +30 degrees Celsius, the Hungarians have got full marks and the OPFOR has retreated.

Meanwhile another Hungarian platoon is inserted by helicopter on the scene because a sniper has been reported to be operating inside a nearby building.

The soldiers have the mission of finding and neutralizing the gunman.

The platoon is planning how to seize the objective, using the information gathered during the commander’s reconnaissance.

Meanwhile the others are securing the area.

The soldiers to provide cover are taking up positions by the platoon leader’s order.

Most personnel of the contingent have already served with foreign missions.

At the request of NATO and the Kosovo Security Forces (KSF), the Hungarian Defence Forces have recently deployed another company to Kosovo besides a maneuver company already serving there, so they have increased the troop level by around 120 with the various command and support elements included. Thanks to the increase, the strength of the contingent is now over 300, and the soldiers arrived in Kosovo in the first weeks of August.