‘You are facing a new challenge’

General Dr. Tibor Benkő, Chief of Defence Staff, HDF was also present and delivered a speech at the formal farewell ceremony on January 6, in the barracks of the HDF 25th György Klapka Infantry Brigade in Tata.
On Thursday, January 6, there were one hundred and thirty-five soldiers in the parade ground of the HDF 25th György Klapka Infantry Brigade, based inTata. The servicemen wearing dark green berets are the soldiers of the eighth rotation of the HDF EUFOR Contingent, who will be serving in Sarajevo, the capital of BosniaHerzegovina, between January 12  July 31.

Gen. Tibor Benkő, Chief of Defence Staff, HDF, Brig-Gen. Sándor Fucsku, Chief of Staff, HDF JFC, and József Michl, the mayor of Tata delivered speeches for the professional and contracted soldiers, who have come from the subordinate corps of the HDF Joint Forces Command (HDF JFC), the Ministry of Defence and its background institutions. The troops’ families were also present at the event.

"You are facing a new challenge! I want everyone of you to be aware that the events that have recently taken place in the Balkans, and the stability that characterizes the region at the moment cannot assure anyone of us" – Gen. Benkő began his address. The chief of defence staff added: the situation is tense in Bosnia–Herzegovina, atrocities may happen any time, and Hungarian soldiers will have to face them. "This mission entails challenge, and danger, too" – said the general.

As Gen. Benkő pointed out: "…the mission is a challenge because you also depart your loved ones, your families. You lose touch with the family atmosphere in which you have been living until now."

Speaking to the families, the chief of defence staff underlined his request: they should help soldiers perform their duties, for they cannot complete their tasks properly if they have troubles and problems at home.

"In the last few months, you have set an example of the outstanding performance of servicemen. I could talk about the flood protection efforts, in which you participated. But I could also speak about the response operations following the red sludge disaster, in which several of you participated. You have set an example for the country, showing us how one can help other human beings in trouble. Thanks to you, citizens have followed the activities of the Hungarian Defence Forces"– said Gen. Tibor Benkő. "Six months from now, I would like to be in a position to say that I am proud of you, proud of your reliable performance!" – the general closed his speech.

The representatives of the field chaplain services blessed the contingent, and the farewell ceremony ended with the Szózat and the parade. While the soldiers were attending a formal dinner, Captain András Tóth, Operations Officer of the 8th rotation of the HDF EUFOR Contingent informed the families about the soldiers’ duties in the operational area and the responsibilities of the Hungarian contingent.

Brig-Gen. Sándor Fucsku emphasized in his toast before dinner: "…after a successful period of preparation and team building, you are going on a mission that is very important for the Hungarian Defence Forces and the Republic of Hungary. It is in the interest of Hungary that there is peace and security in the Balkans."

The chief of staff of the HDF JFC added: "…the task you will be carrying out in an international environment is of outstanding importance. You are leaving for a mission that will end soon. But it does not mean that there is no work to do in Sarajevo." The brigadier-general stressed that the EUFOR battalion will be transformed, some nations will withdraw and new nations take over the duties. More and more Hungarian soldiers will serve in the battalion and the EUFOR staff.