An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Aug. 28, 2019

Ohio Guard Airmen, Hungarian partners train on airfield work

By Senior Airman Amber Mullen Ohio National Guard

PÁPA, Hungary – Eight Airmen assigned to an Ohio National Guard mobile training team conducted an intermediate airfield management course for members of the Hungarian Defence Forces July 29-Aug. 2 at Pápa Air Base.

National Guard members taught the course alongside air advisers from Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The Ohio National Guard conducts regular engagements focused on sharing best practices and learning from Hungary, its state partner for the last 26 years as part of the Department of Defense State Partnership Program.

"We taught various facets of managing the airfield to include parking plans for various types of aircraft and having a plan in place to run the airfield while maximizing safety," said Tech Sgt. Andrew Lipian, an aviation resource manager assigned to the 164th Operations Squadron at the 179th Airlift Wing in Mansfield, Ohio. "We taught the hierarchy within the airfield management career field and we engaged in real-world exercises."

During the training period, the Airmen also taught a familiarization course focused on flight line safety emergency procedures, cargo handling and air base occupational health.

This year's course built on the foundation of the information presented last year during the beginner's course, and is part of a three-course series focusing on joint training and sharing best practices.

"Ohio has been the state that has supported us in several areas," said Brig. Gen. Nándor Kilián, the inspector of the Hungarian air force. "There is a lot of room to improve. The basic thing is to exchange the knowledge, exchange the possibilities and to learn from each other. This is the main goal, to cooperate."

One aspect of the course was firefighting training, as the mobile team and air advisors trained Hungarian military members on firefighting techniques to improve flight line safety knowledge and skills. They also showcased how firefighters work closely with airfield management and air traffic controllers to improve the overall effectiveness of in-flight emergency response.

Another teaching point of the course was familiarization with occupational health. Ohio National Guard occupational health specialists assessed and provided insight on the Hungarian Defence Force's current program. Based on their observations, they were able to teach medical triage and advise their partners on additional ways to treat their service members who are exposed to environmental hazards.

At the end of the training, the Hungarians and Ohioans participated in a joint demonstration to showcase how air traffic controllers, airfield management, firefighters and medics all work together in an emergency response situation.

Ohio is dedicated to continuing building and strengthening its 26-year partnership with Hungary. With an increasingly unstable global environment, this partnership increases strength in peacetime, which will improve Ohio-Hungary joint capabilities in times of conflict.

"This is a long-term relationship," said Brig. Gen. Todd Audet, the Ohio deputy assistant adjutant general for Air. "The more we work together, the more our relationship with the Hungarians strengthens. As the Hungarian air force transforms, we're right there alongside them, helping them in that transformation."

Ohio's partnership with Hungary provides mutually beneficial training, builds cultural understanding and showcases the accomplishments of two nations collaborating to achieve security cooperation goals. Through military exchanges like the airfield management course, both nations are able to learn from each other and improve their policies and procedures.

"A great way to learn is by teaching," Audet said. "You learn what your partners know and you learn what you're teaching even better by sharing the information. Both the Hungarians and the Ohio National Guard service members have benefited in that regard."

Since 1993, Ohio and Hungary have developed a partnership and friendship that has allowed both nations to come together and work as a united force. This partnership has transcended military training alone and developed relationships that will prepare both entities' forces for the future.

 

 

Related Articles
SEA John Raines, the senior enlisted advisor to the chief of the National Guard Bureau, attended the African Senior Enlisted Leader Conference in Rabat, Morocco, on June 12 as the keynote speaker, reaffirming commitment to counter terrorism, strengthening national security abroad, and bolstering alliances and partnerships.
2025 African Senior Enlisted Leader Conference Highlights National Guard Role in Africa
By Sgt. Maj. Pete Morrison, | June 20, 2025
RABAT, Morocco – National Guard senior leaders reaffirmed their commitment to counter terrorism, strengthen national security abroad and bolster alliances and partnerships, particularly with countries throughout Africa,...

Spc. Clyde Carr of the 185th Engineer Company dumps his carry of old fill at a construction site at the old Great Northern Paper Company in East Millinocket, Maine, June 9, 2025. The unit is spending their annual training doing site improvements as part of an innovative readiness training project, a collaboration between the Maine National Guard and the town of East Millinocket.
Maine Army Guard Engineers Build Communities, Readiness
By Sgt. 1st Class Richard Frost, | June 20, 2025
CAMP CHAMBERLAIN, Maine - Engineers with the Maine Army National Guard are hard at work this spring, conducting critical training to keep their skills sharp and simultaneously providing a valuable and direct service to their...

A U.S. Soldier assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, pulls security at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La., June 15, 2025. JRTC is designed to improve unit readiness through force-on-force exercises that prepare Soldiers for missions they may be assigned in real-world operations.
Iowa Army Guard Soldiers Train at Tigerland
By Sgt. Ryan Reed, | June 20, 2025
FORT POLK, La. – More than 4,000 Soldiers from the Iowa Army National Guard trained throughout June at Fort Polk, undergoing one of the Army’s most demanding combat training events in preparation for an upcoming overseas...