General Breedlove was favorably impressed by the international cooperation within the flying organization, enabling 12 countries to share costs and personnel to provide strategic world-wide airlift. He also deeply appreciated the welcoming spirit of the town of Pápa and its support for the Wing, its people, and its mission.

On the 8th General Breedlove traveled to Budapest where he met with Minister of Defense Csaba Hende, Chief of Defense General Tibor Benkő, and Joint Forces Deputy Commander for Air Brigadier General Albert Sáfár.

General Breedlove expressed his appreciation for Hungary’s brave soldiers working side-by-side with U.S. and other NATO nations in Afghanistan, as well as the excellent host nation support for the HAW. Both sides discussed future development and expansion of Pápa Air Base, as well as possible future missions for the three Hungarian-tailed C-17s.

Photo: US Air Force General Phillip Breedlove (second from left), Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Timothy Betts (middle), and Minister of Defense Csaba Hende (right) in the Ministry of Defense (photo by Mária Krasznai-Nehrebeczky/Ministry of Defense)

Source: U.S. Embassy Budapest