Last Hungarian Soldiers Return from Afghanistan

After the end of the mission in Afghanistan, the last nine soldiers of the last shift arrived in Hungary, at the 59th Szentgyörgyi Dezső Air Base of the Hungarian Air Force in Kecskemét.

Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, commander of the Hungarian Defence Forces, receiving the Hungarian flag from the headquarters in Afghanistan, said that the flag is a symbol of the enormous effort that Hungarian soldiers have made for 18 years in the interest of common security, in partnership with NATO allies.

As the soldiers landed, the Major General asked them to join the thousands of Hungarian soldiers who had successfully completed their mission and returned home to their families, and to remember together the seven comrades who gave their lives in Afghanistan for the security of the Hungarian people and the world.

The commander told state media that the most important experience of the past 18 years for Hungary, NATO member states and the whole world is that "Hungarian soldiers always stand their ground, can be counted on and carry out their duties under all circumstances".

In the NATO commitment in Afghanistan, Hungarian soldiers have performed countless tasks over the past 18 years, from the light rifle squadron and helicopter training to the security and provincial reconstruction teams, the medical and mentoring team, and at the same time the operation of Kabul airport.

Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi stressed that the thousands of Hungarian soldiers participating in the mission in Afghanistan had gained a great deal of experience, as they had been able to test themselves in almost all fields of expertise in live conditions, which they would incorporate into their daily training and contribute even more to the protection of the Hungarian people and to guaranteeing their security.