Hungary takes over defense of Kabul airport

As of October 1st, Hungary took over the international mission to protect Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan from Belgium that performed this task for nearly ten years. Apart from Hungarians, the new protection force also includes Portuguese soldiers.

"The takeover of force protection tasks at the Kabul International Airport (KAIA) took place in order on Monday, October 1, and the soldiers of the Hungarian Defence Forces will perform their duties there for six months”, Chief of Defence Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkõ said at a press conference in Budapest.

Gen. Benkõ added that the travel of the 230-strong force protection contingent abroad and the takeover of force protection tasks in the capital of Afghanistan had taken place in an orderly manner. The defense contingent also includes 65 Portuguese troops

“From now on the airport will be operated by the French armed forces, and the Hungarians will be responsible for its force protection”, Gen. Benkõ pointed out.

The first major Hungarian mission at Kabul International Airport took place in 2008-2009 when the military commander of the airport was Hungarian colonel Csaba Varga who is currently one of the top officers of the Hungarian Army as a Brigadier General.

(source: honvedelem.hu)