International day in Sicily
Text: Major János Koch, Senior Warrant Officer István Tóth | Photo: Mónika Nagy-Oláh Szandra | 13:42 October 16, 2023This autumn, the international day of the NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force (NATO ISR Force) was organized again at Naval Air Station Sigonella (NASSIG) in Sicily.
At the invitation of Major János Koch – the senior national representative of the Hungarian contingent –, also present at the event was Colonel Zoltán Sándor, Hungary’s defence, military and air attaché to Italy.
American Brigadier General Andrew M. Clark, Commanding General, NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force (NAGSF) received the Hungarian military attaché at the airbase, and then, during an informal conversation, praised the outstanding attitude of the handful Hungarian contingent in implementing the professional and social aims of the unit.
Major János Koch and Senior Warrant Officer István Tóth gave a detailed introductory presentation of the unit, and then followed a complete tour of the base, during which the participants saw the RQ-4 “Global Hawk” drone in the hangar. Captain Artúr Papp gave an introduction to the capabilities and technical specifications of the unmanned aerial vehicle.
The Hungarians prepared for the international day with an expanded stand, which, like last year, provided a taste of Hungarian cuisine as well as of the touristic sights of Hungary, but the main emphasis was on worthily commemorating the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the Hungarian Defence Forces. Thus, the organizers presented the military hardware procured in the framework of the National Defence and Armed Forces Development Program in visual form (picture, video, explanation).
The visitors of the Hungarian stand had the opportunity to learn about the road travelled so far by the Hungarian armed forces, from the deservedly world-famous Hungarian hussars to the Turkish Gidrán and German Lynx armored combat vehicles that are among the most advanced military equipment in the world to the German Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled artillery howitzers and Leopard 2A7 main battle tanks. Besides the land equipment, of all the assets of the air force, the visitors paid the most attention to the procurement of the H145M and H225M helicopters. To cherish the traditions of the past, a real curiosity from Senior Warrant Officer István Tóth’s personal collection, an original 1848 relic, a real hussar saber was also on display at the Hungarian stand, to the visitors’ greatest pleasure.
On the NATO ISR Force international day, around 700 guests visited the stands of the 16 nations displaying their various national characteristics.
10. Egy valódi 1848-as magyar huszár szablya Tóth István törzszászlós személyes gyüjteményéből
1. Andrew M. Clark dandártábornok a NISRF alakulat parancsnoka fogadja Sándor Zoltán ezredes katonai attasét hivatalos szicíliai látogatása során_j
2. Sándor Zoltán ezredes látogatása a szicíliai Sigonella Naval Air Station bázison a magyar kontingens tagjai körében_j
9. Koch János őrnagy a magyar kontingens nemzeti rangidőse bemutatja a magyar standot és a 175 éves Magyar Honvédséget Andrew M_j
13. Tóth-Schindler Renáta őrmester gulyást ad át Stefano Bianca ezredesnek a NISRF alakulat parancsnok helyettesének
