Hungary's president visits Pápa

  • Published
  • By Military Officer 3rd Grade Annele Apajakari
  • Heavy Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PÁPA AIR BASE, Hungary --  Dr. Pál Schmitt, the President of the Republic of Hungary, visited Pápa Air Base and Heavy Airlift Wing Feb. 24.

Dr. Schmitt was given a presentation of the air base and Heavy Airlift Wing by Cols. Miklós Domonkos, base commander, and Fredrik Hedén, HAW vice commander. Dr. Schmitt personally greeted six Hungarian soldiers who serve in the Heavy Airlift Wing.

The president was given a tour at the Pápa Air Base, which included a visit to the air traffic control tower to follow a night vision training flight with one of the HAW C-17 Globemaster III aircrafts, which was flown by a crew led U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Hobbs.

Dr. Schmitt was impressed of the co-operation between the 12 nations and the Hungarian host base. His genuine interest was manifested by numerous questions he presented to the hosts. He also emphasized the local community's support and importance of building a team, including the HAW families, which is essential for the 30 year perspective to the Strategic Airlift Capability program.

SAC is a co-operative effort of 12 nations: Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden and the United States. It is stationed in Pápa Air Base, Hungary.

Since the delivery of the first aircraft in July 2009, the HAW has flown more than 3,600 flight hours and delivered more than 13,800 tons of cargo and more than 6,100 passengers for the nations over six continents including missions to Haiti, Afghanistan, South Africa and Europe. More information is available at www.heavyairliftwing.org.