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 ADA Officers Advanced Course, El Paso, Texas, USA
2004 - 2005 Air War College, Montgomery, Alabama, USA Master degree – strategic studies
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
The wings of the nation
12:03 May 5, 2026
The two newest Gripen fighter jets of Hungary have arrived from Sweden to further expand the fleet of the Hungarian Defence Forces, in which already 16 such aircraft are available. At the 29 April handover ceremony, it was stated that this type has unquestionably been the backbone of domestic airspace defence for several years.
“Jolly Vihar 2026” Reloaded
12:06 April 28, 2026
Experts of the U.S. Air Force’s 56th and 57th Rescue Squadrons and the HDF 47th Airbase worked out the HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter’s procedure for refuelling with a running engine (hot refuelling) during an almost one-year joint service.
Future top military leaders in NATO environment
12:03 April 28, 2026
The students of the military general staff training course at the Ludovika University of Public Service gained strategic-level experiences on their visit to the NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium.
Observation from bird’s-eye view
11:20 April 28, 2026
Aerial reconnaissance is a key element of the closing program in the third week of the 47th International Military Observers Course organized by the HDF Military Training Centre. Altogether 27 students from 14 countries are participating in the course, with one common aim: to serve as military observers on international missions under the aegis of the UN in the interest of preserving peace.
International Selection in the Air
11:17 April 28, 2026
Special helicopters occupied the sky, crossing the clouds with spectacular manoeuvres. Spanish and Hungarian aircraft showed what cutting-edge technology and precision are capable of.
Special Insight
14:29 April 27, 2026
Organized by the United States Military Group of the U.S. Embassy Budapest, bloggers recently watched the dynamic moments of Exercise Jolly Vihar 2026, participated in a static display, observed the American rotorcraft and shared their experiences with servicemembers participating in the exercise.
Preparing for the NATO Tiger Meet Exercise
12:18 April 27, 2026
As of 4 May, the HDF 101st Aviation Wing will be representing the Hungarian Defence Forces with JAS 39 Gripens at Araxon Air Base, Greece during the NATO Tiger Meet 2026, one of the best-known international exercises of air forces.
Air Formula-1
11:51 April 27, 2026
Hungary receives the fastest in the world on land, at sea and in the air. In addition to the Hungaroring and the Duna Arena, the HDF Joint Forces Training Centre’s Kőröshegy shooting range hosts the “international field”.
Ready for international competitions as well
11:32 April 27, 2026
After monthslong tough training, a patrol team made up of six reservists has been formed to represent the Hungarian Defence Forces at domestic and international competitions. The members of the team include Reserve Sergeant First Class Tamás Bérdi, a soldier of the 46th Territorial Defence Battalion of the HDF 4th Territorial Defence Regiment.
Speaking the same language
12:55 April 24, 2026
Imaginary mine explosion, passing through illegal checkpoints, continuous observation – all this happened not on the set of an action-packed war movie but during a complex patrol exercise of the 47th International Military Observers Course. Twenty-six students participated in this serious test of physical and mental strength.