Embassy News

Incoming NATO Heavy Airlift Wing Commander Visits Pápa Air Base

Col. Domonkos, Pápa Vice Mayor Dr. Tamás Áldozó, and Col. Zazworsky  (full size photo)

The named commander for the newly formed NATO Heavy Airlift Wing (HAW), United States Air Force Colonel John Zazworsky, saw the Hungarian Air Base at Pápa for the first time this week. Pápa Air Base will host this unique unit which is planned to include personnel from 13 NATO countries as well as Sweden and Finland. It will support these nations’ efforts to conduct all types of missions to include humanitarian aid, disaster relief, personnel evacuation and support of sanctioned military operations. Col Zazworsky met the Pápa Air Base Commander, Col Miklós Domonkos as well as the Pápa city leaders.

The Pápa city and base team have put a tremendous amount of time and resources into preparing for the establishment of this new flying wing. While much still needs to be done. The base stands ready to accept the initial group of personnel within the next 4 weeks. Further improvements to the base infrastructure are just awaiting the accomplishment of final legal technicalities which will allow money to flow to fund those improvements.

Col Zazworsky was very pleased with the situation as he prepares his wing to accept all of the expected personnel but also is keenly aware of the challenges associated with integrating a large group of people into a relatively small community. He also sensed a vibrant and robust team mentality between the base and the community which is crucial to meeting these challenges. He feels confident this will be the showplace for NATO to exhibit the synergies available in multi-national operations.

Posted: 06/27/2008