“Technology changes, the Alliance is here to stay”

The lieutenant general recently paid an official visit to the United States, where the main focus was not only on deepening bilateral relations but also on visiting the Allied Command Transformation (ACT), a Norfolk-based strategic command shaping NATO’s future.

Together with General Chris Badia, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, they reviewed the activity and main directions of the ACT, which is responsible for developing strategic warfare for military structures, forces, capabilities and doctrines. The lieutenant general presented the results of the modernization process in the Hungarian Defence Forces, with special regard to capability development efforts as well as the adaptation to requirements for allies.

Lieutenant General Kajári received information about the tasks of Hungarian servicemembers serving in Norfolk, and at a staff meeting held for them, he spoke about the current tasks and ongoing processes of the Hungarian Defence Forces.

In what followed, Lieutenant General Kajári and his entourage travelled from Norfolk, Virginia to Columbus, the city housing the Joint Force Headquarters and several important installations of the Ohio National Guard.

After the discussions for evaluating bilateral cooperation and setting directions of development, Lieutenant General Kajári pointed out that the more than 30 years of partnership with the Ohio National Guard had greatly helped the development and cooperation capability of the Hungarian Defence Forces. “This is not only a part of our past but also of our future, and plays a key role in developing the capabilities of the Hungarian Defence Forces, in Alliance integration and in preparing for the warfare of the future” – he said.

On the last day of the visit, Lieutenant General Kajári and his entourage observed the complex “Best Warrior Competition”, which is annually organized for patrol teams by the Ohio National Guard. At the event, Hungary was represented by four reservists, two professional soldiers and two team leaders. Hungary’s representatives have participated the competition for years to test their strength and preparedness against soldiers of allied and partner nations.

“Technology changes, but cooperation has eternal value. Our joint activity with the Ohio National Guard points beyond the exercises, as we are building trust, knowledge and a true allied partnership” – stated the Deputy Chief of the HDF Defence Staff.

The partnership of the Hungarian Defence Forces and the Ohio National Guard goes back to more than 30 years. The framework was created with the State Partnership Program launched by the US Department of Defense in 1993: this initiative connects the national guards of individual American member states with the armed forces of partner countries, along mutual benefits.

On 14 July 1993, Hungary was among the first to join the program in cooperation with the Ohio National Guard. The probable reason for this pairing was that many American citizens of Hungarian descent live in Ohio State (Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus, Dayton).