They have returned home from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Not so long ago, the altogether 177 soldiers who lined up on the parade ground of the base of the Szentes-based HDF 14th Engineer Regiment had been supporting, together with the troops of 24 other EUFOR nations, the local authorities in providing peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“The members of the personnel arrived from various organizations, yet they have been forged into a cohesive team over the recent months” – said Brigadier General Zsolt Molnár in referring to those who arrived from 15 other units beside the Szentes-based one. He added that the Hungarian troops gave testimony of their exemplary dedication in the last one year, and they were able to do so only because they received support from a stable home front, that is, from their loved ones.

“For the umpteenth time, the HDF 14th Engineer Regiment from which the backbone of the contingent is drawn has demonstrated its preparedness. Thirty years ago, it was the Hungarian Engineer Contingent that set off for Bosnia and Herzegovina among the firsts to participate in the reconstruction of the Western Balkan country” – emphasized the Deputy Commander (Land) of the HDF JFC.

Back then, our soldiers looked at the other armed forces’ equipment in awe, but today, as a result of the military development program, the Hungarian Defence Forces have amply caught up with them – said Lieutenant Colonel Dr. István Szabó, Department Chief of the HDF JFC Staff Department, who had been the commander of the Hungarian contingent in the first six months of the rotation. He emphasized that within the framework of the Digital Soldier Program, Hungarian soldiers are provided with modern uniforms and weaponry, and the pool of assets required for patrolling has also been renewed.

“Last year, at the closing exercise of the pre-deployment training, I said that the rotation is ready to tackle the challenges ahead. On looking back, I can report that this rotation has executed all of its tasks excellently during the mission abroad” – this was how Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Szabó evaluated the contingent’s performance. “Reports given at several international forums also confirm the preparedness of Hungarian troops who served in Bosnia and Herzegovina”.

Besides basic peacekeeping tasks such as, for example, patrolling, the Hungarian soldiers provided assistance in humanitarian catastrophes, whereas they demonstrated their crowd riot control (CRC) procedures at the annual exercise of Operation EUFOR Althea. “The exercise series Quick Response is designed to measure the preparedness level of maneuver units serving in the theatre of operations. However, this year, in an exceptional way, the stand-by subunits of EUFOR also joined the exercise, so a huge contingent was formed” – he said.

“When I took over command from him six months ago, Lieutenant Colonel Szabó handed over thoroughly trained and motivated personnel and military equipment in excellent condition. I was pleased to serve there in the second six-month period” – said Contingent Commander Lieutenant Colonel Tibor Vígvári, the commander of the Bridge Battalion of the 14th Engineer Regiment. He went on to point out the significance of exchanging lessons learned in international missions and to praise the soldiers providing logistic supply.

“You can develop the ability to calm your heart even in the midst of rough times. Have a quiet heart, as the Evangelical song has it, because those with quiet hearts can notice harmony in the past, following the challenges” – said Major János Szabó, field chaplain of the 29th rotation of the HDF EUFOR Contingent before blessing the homecoming soldiers.

In an active role since the beginnings

The region of the Western Balkans is of particular significance to Hungary. In order to preserve the peace and security of the region, Hungary has been assuming an active role in the international peacekeeping operations launched in Bosnia and Herzegovina since the beginnings in 1995. The increasing Hungarian presence is noticeable not only in the strength of the contingent but also in the leadership positions.

On 18 March Brigadier General Bálint Legoza took over the deputy commander’s position of Operation EUFOR Althea, the peacekeeping mission of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the coming months, two Hungarian generals will be serving among the leaders of the mission, as Brigadier General Tibor Szabó’s tenure as chief of staff runs until May.