Reporting from America

Hungarian reservists arrive at the scene of Exercise CRX26

Text: First Lieutenant Áron Schwanner | Photo: by the author | 11:51 July 13, 2026

The close to 100-strong Hungarian contingent designated to participate at Combat Readiness Exercise 2026 (CRX26) of the Ohio National Guard has arrived at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, Grayling, Michigan. After a more than 12-hour flight aboard a C-17 Globemaster III military cargo aircraft and disembarkation, the soldiers continued their journey to the training base by bus.

The first days are being spent with adaptation to local conditions, integration sessions, as well as the preparation of equipment and weaponry. Following the preparation, the live exercise will start.

Between July 13 and 23, the three Hungarian reserve platoons will be assigned to different companies of the Ohio National Guard. Together with their American comrades, the Hungarian soldiers are going to conduct tactical missions in Camp Grayling training area. The personnel are to be airlifted to the area of operations aboard Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters.

To the participants, the challenges go beyond the military tasks. The summer heat, the muggy weather, the six-hour jet lag, the English-language military cooperation and the unknown environment all put the Hungarian personnel to the test. At the same time, it all provides Hungarian reservists with an excellent opportunity to broaden their professional experiences in an international environment and further strengthen their abilities necessary for cooperation with allied forces.

Over the next few days, we will report from the spot about the most important events of the exercise.