Lieutenant General Zoltán Mihócza
08:02 August 10, 2021Personal data:
Date of birth: 18 March 1962.
Place of birth: Budapest
Marital status: Married, with one child
Education:
1980 - 1986 Minsk Military Academy of Air Defense Missile Engineering, (Minsk, Belarus, USSR), certified radio engineer
1996 - 1997 Air Defense Gunner Advanced Officer Course (Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas, USA).
2004 - 2005 US Air Force Command and Staff College (Montgomery, Alabama, USA)
Training Courses Attended:
1999 C-70 Chemical Defense Course, NATO School, Oberammergau, Germany
2000 I-32 Staff Officer Course, NATO School, Oberammergau, Germany
2001 C-29 MJLC Course, NATO School, Oberammergau, Germany
2002 NATO Logistics Course, Aachen, Germany
2007 Senior Leadership Course, George C. Marshall Center, Germany
2008 Defence Policy Course, Defence Academy, UK
2010 GFOAC Senior Leadership Course, NDC, Rome, Italy
Military career:
1986 - 1989 11/7th Air Defense Missile Division, Deputy Commander (Technical), Budapest
1989 - 1992 11th Danube Air Defense Missile Brigade, Maintenance Squadron Commander, Budapest
1992 - 1994 11th Danube Air Defense Missile Brigade, Chief of Maintenance, Budapest
1995 - 1996 11th Danube Air Defense Missile Brigade, Chief of Air Defense Missile Engineering, Budapest
1997 11th Danube Air Defense Missile Brigade, Chief of Military Engineering, Budapest
1998 HDF Meteorological Office, Chief Planning Officer, Budapest
1999 Defense Staff, Military Force Planning Directorate, Modernization Department, Research and Analysis Officer, Budapest
1999 - 2002 NATO Joint Forces Command, Group Headquarters J1/4, Logistics Planning Division, Senior Officer, Verona, Italy
2002 - 2003 MOD-DS, Force Planning Directorate, Modernization Division, Senior Officer in Charge, Budapest
2003 - 2004 MOD-DS, Secretary to the Chief of Integration, Budapest
2005 MOD-DS, Secretary to the Director of the Defense Staff, Budapest
2005 - 2006 MOD- DS, Military Planning General Directorate, NATO and Doctrinal Department, Head of Department, Budapest
2006 - 2010 MOD-DS, Operations and Training Division, Deputy Head of Division, Budapest
2010 - 2011 MOD-DS, Force Planning Directorate, Director, Budapest
2011 - 2013 HDF Office of the Military Representative, Military Representative, Brussels, Belgium
2013 - 2016 HDF Joint Forces Command, Acting Commander, Székesfehérvár
2015 - 2016 EUFOR, Chief of Staff, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2016 - 2018 HDF Joint Forces Command, Chief of Staff, Székesfehérvár
2018 HDF Joint Forces Command, Acting Commander, Székesfehérvár
2019 - Headquarters of the Hungarian Defense Forces, Chief of Staff
Participation in operations:
2000 - 2001 KFOR HQ Pristina, Kosovo
2015 - 2016 EUFOR, Chief of Staff, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Honours:
1994 Officer Service Medal 3rd Class (10 years)
2001 NATO Kosovo Medal
2002 Service Medal for Peacekeeping
2003 Service Medal, bronze grade
2003 Officer's Service Medal 2nd Class (20 years)
2004 NATO Service Medal 2005 Service Medal gold grade
2008 Service Medal decorated with Laurel Wreath
2010 Officer's Service Medal 1st Class (30 years )
2013 NATO Service Medal
2015 Hungarian Cross of the Order of Merit, military section
2016 EU CSDP Service Medal
2017 Migration Crisis Management Service Badge
2018 US Air Force Command Staff College, International Hall of Fame Member
2019 Gyula Sipos Award of the City of Székesfehérvár
Language skills:
English: STANAG 6001 4.4.4.4
Russian: advanced level, military interpreter
C-17 Simulator Training – Now Also in Hungary
13:41 May 30, 2025
The ribbon cutting ceremony of the Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) C-17 Aircrew Training System Facility recently took place at the HDF 47th Airbase in Pápa. This is a milestone in training the professionals of the program, because the aircrews of C-17 aircraft can now conduct their proficiency and capability development simulator training also in Hungary.
Hungarian SOF troops on the African continent
12:20 May 30, 2025
In 2025, the Special Operations Forces (SOF) troops of the Hungarian Defence Forces are present at multiple locations again on the African continent. Besides performing training tasks in Somalia, they also participated in Exercise Flintlock 25 conducted in the West African region and in Exercise African Lion 25 held in Morocco. These engagements serve not only the strengthening of military cooperation but also the deepening of international presence.
Fire Blade 2025: Composite Air Operations
10:27 May 30, 2025
In the second week of Exercise Fire Blade 2025, the training flights are continuously going on, during which the aircrews of five nations are carrying out Composite Air Operations (COMAOs) in the airspace of the Bakony Hills and its environs.
Past the Arctic Circle
14:57 May 28, 2025
The large-scale international Exercise Swift Response 2025, held in Norway from 7 to 20 May, developed and demonstrated the capabilities of NATO’s rapid reaction airmobile forces. The exercise aimed to ensure the rapid and coordinated action of the allied forces in crises, with a special emphasis on enhancing the efficiency of air operations and deepening multinational cooperation. With their knowledge and performance, Hungarian servicemembers were again appreciated members of the international team carrying out joint tasks.
Fire Blade in Top Gear
10:20 May 28, 2025
The multinational helicopter tactical Exercise Fire Blade 2025 is going on in top gear at the HDF 47th Air Base in Pápa, Hungary.
Day of the Hungarian Defence Forces in Sarajevo
11:54 May 27, 2025
The 21 May program for Hungarian soldiers serving in Bosnia and Herzegovina included a ceremonial staff meeting and a tasting of Hungarian dishes at Camp Butmir.
Hungarian Reserve Company in Bosnia Again
10:12 May 27, 2025
The reserve company of the Hungarian Defence Forces serves in Sarajevo again with EUFOR Operation ALTHEA, the European Union’s peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. These soldiers form a separate unit that is not involved in everyday tasks in peacetime, but is deployable, if necessary, for example on large-scale exercises or if the security situation requires reinforcement.
Hungarian Hussars at the CISM 25th World Military Equestrian Championship
15:29 May 22, 2025
Four soldiers of the Count Ferenc Nádasdy Hussar Division, HDF “vitéz Szurmay Sándor Budapest” Garrison Brigade, also participated in the CISM 25th World Military Equestrian Championship in Cairo. In the high-ranking event, 60 competitors from 20 countries matched their skills.
Praying for Peace in Lourdes
14:37 May 22, 2025
The 65th International Military Pilgrimage was closed with a Holy Mass in the underground Basilica of St. Pius X in Lourdes, Southwest France on Sunday, 18 May. According to Catholic Military Bishop Brigadier General Tibor Berta, participants of the pilgrimage in Lourdes convey the message of the Gospel.
EUFOR has Hungarian Chief of Staff again after Command Year
14:34 May 22, 2025
After a successful Hungarian Command Year in 2024, the Hungarian Defence Forces took back the Chief of Staff position of the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina: on 15 May in Sarajevo, Austrian Brigadier General Herbert Sailer relinquished the post to Brigadier General Tibor Szabó in a ceremony, following which a Hungarian general fills the chief of staff position of the mission again.