Second HDF Air Mentor Team Deploys to Kabul

Speaking in the presence of relatives and family members, the Hungarian Chief of Defence said that the ISAF mission in Afghanistan is the most dangerous of all. ‘Today Afghanistan is not a peaceful place, as the military operations currently under way in the country involve combat actions that claim a lot of lives’…By now the number of foreign troops killed in Afghanistan has topped 2,000. ‘For this very reason, we should be proud of our servicemen who undertake this difficult, demanding and dangerous mission and fulfill their commitment in accordance with their oath.’

Lt-Gen. Benkõ stressed that the NATO ISAF mission – which has been going on since 2005 – presents the Hungarian troops with a great challenge, requiring professionalism and considerable courage of them as well as patience, love and understanding on the part of their relatives. The Hungarian servicemembers in ISAF have introduced some new capabilities into the training program of the Afghan National Army (ANA) such as the special pods mounted on the Mi-17 helicopters that enable the use of free rockets with this aircraft type.

The Hungarian CHOD also noted that Maj. Attila Suszter, the commander of the HDF AMT rotation would be responsible for the personnel and the management of the AMT mission down to the last detail. Lt-Gen. Benkõ asked the AMT members to assist their commander and comrades in the area of operation. ‘This is one team with a single overall purpose, so you must deal with all the issues collectively. The only way for you to execute your tasks is to cooperate with each other while working under your commander with the same objective in view.’

The HDF 86th Szolnok Helicopter Base is going to rotate the AMT personnel every four months throughout the one-year mission. The airmen of the HDF AMT are tasked to provide theoretical and practical training for the attack helicopter crews of the Afghan National Army Air Force (ANAAF) and to carry out aviation unit maintenance (AVUM) of the helicopters. The second 10-man AMT rotation is ready to commence its tour of duty in Afghanistan under a mandate running until January 15, 2011. Maj. Attila Suszter is going to be posted as a rotary-wing crew chief mentor and contingent commander. Previously he had been teaching training courses for the personnel nominated to the AMT mission at the HDF Peace Support Training Center and the HDF 86th Szolnok Helicopter Base.

Maj-Gen. Zoltán Pintér, Air Force Chief, HDF Joint Force Command proposed a toast during the reception at the event. Addressing the participants, the general who has recently visited the Kabul air base in Afghanistan said ‘The commander of the ANAAF told me in private that the Hungarians were the best’.