Cohesion is the key to mission success

Text: Levente Petróczy | Photo: Balázs Zsalakó, Tamás Kovács | 11:07 April 9, 2026

“Led by the contingent commander, during your tour of duty abroad, you have formed a cohesive unit with members attentive to and assuming responsibility for each other, where all soldiers knew that they can count on their comrades if in need” – said Colonel Tibor Gaspor, Deputy Commander, HDF 1st Armored Brigade at the homecoming ceremony of the 33rd rotation of the HDF KFOR Contingent (KFOR-33 HUNCON, KFOR Tactical Reserve Battalion – KTRBN) on 2 April.

He added that KFOR is one of NATO’s longest-running peacekeeping missions, which ensures Europe’s peace through stabilizing that of the Western Balkans.

“The personnel carried out their tasks in the mission to high professional standards, in a disciplined way, thereby contributing to regional security, the credibility of NATO’s mission as well as to the good reputation of the Hungarian Defence Forces and Hungary” – said Colonel Gaspor.

He thanked the family members for their support, because a supportive family background plays a key role in the success of tours of duty abroad. “We know that the patience and support of those staying at home is an irreplaceable source of strength for our soldiers in the area of operations” – this was how he closed his speech.

In answer to our question, Lieutenant Colonel Gergely Herczog, Commander, KFOR-33 HUNCON said that a significant portion of the close to 400-strong personnel has performed mission tasks for the first time – however, it was not noticeable at all during task execution.

“The feedback I received from the official evaluation and from others speaks highly of the mission activity of the Hungarian Defence Forces and the KFOR-33 HUNCON. Six months ago, we were excited while leaving for Kosovo, but we have returned home with joy because we have succeeded in completing all our objectives” – said the lieutenant colonel in summing up the last six months.

The backbone of the KFOR-33 HUNCON was drawn from the personnel of the HDF 1st Armored Brigade and the HDF 2nd Sustainment Regiment.