The First OMLT Has Accomplished Its Task

The personnel started the completion of their tasks in an operational area in January. The team comprised of 27 Hungarian and 28 Ohio National Guard soldiers. The members of the team had completed a joint training as well. The general staff of the National Guard welcomed the idea of working together with the Hungarians from the beginning. In a short time the preparation and training of the contingent had begun, which, besides the general preparation for missions, also involved the transfer and practice of the experiences and methods of the two countries. The duties of the OMLT-1 were to provide assistance to the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police, to prepare them for discharging their duties, to elaborate special law enforcement tasks, and to gradually hand over the duties to the new Afghan police.

At the Szolnok event, following the reception of the superiors and the national anthems of the two countries the orders were read out. The troops returning from the mission were presented with decorations and commemorative art objects, among others by Defence Minister Dr. Imre Szekeres, MoD Chief of Defence Staff General (Eng.) László Tömböl, and Lieutenant General Tibor Benkõ, the Commander of the HDF Joint Forces Command. The defence minister underlined in his address that the soldiers lining up in the square have written history when they proved how great possibilities there are in the American-Hungarian cooperation. “This cooperation has become extremely important for Hungary as well. Today we must see that in order to defend the country something must be done thousands of kilometers from here. At the moment Afghanistan is the main priority of the Alliance, it is a great challenge for the NATO, where our aim is to have a government in place that is capable of operating. Therefore we are eager to see the results of the coming elections and this is why this team has been to there and this is what it has been working for," said the head of the portfolio. “We would like if in this country that has suffered so much a legitimate government had the power, that is capable of governing the country with its system of public administration and guaranteeing security with its police force. To create the independent Afghan nation it is also essential to establish the independent national army. The role of the ISAF has considerably increased in this field, and the soldiers of these two nations have performed very well. Thank you for your work and for returning safe and sound," said the minister.

“As regards our commitment in Afghanistan, there is a national consensus in the country, for schools, health care institutions, roads and bridges are being built with the help of the Hungarian soldiers. The people living in the country can see the point in peacekeeping, therefore they support it as well. This team was the first to undertake this task, so the country should thank its troops who have just returned. We have gained new experiences in a new assignment. These experiences must be transferred to the other troops, for this team will be followed by a lot of new teams, since we still have a lot to do in this area," said the minister, who also thanked the parents, wives, children, and the friends at home for helping our troops working abroad focus on their task.

The head of the portfolio also greeted the American troops in English. He emphasized that the United States is an important ally of Hungary in the Afghanistan commitment. If work is shared, success and joy are also shared, and today we can celebrate this success. The minister thanked the American troops for their help in preparing and equipping the Hungarian soldiers. Imre Szekeres asked them to be of assistance to those who will go to Afghanistan in the future, because what they have learned in the operational area cannot be learned from any coursebook. He wished the troops a good time off and a more relaxed atmoshphere where they can continue their work.

Following Szózat, the ‘second national anthem’, the ceremony ended with the parade of the troops.