Hungary, Ohio state partners discuss accomplishments, future plans during annual capstone visit

The Ohio National Guard’s 33-yearlong partnership with Hungary was on full display during an annual capstone visit this summer, as part of the ongoing National Guard State Partnership Program.

Maj. Gen. Matthew S. Woodruff, Ohio adjutant general, led a delegation to meet with Hungarian Defence Forces officials to highlight the past year’s SPP exchanges and plan for future events. He also observed Exercise Neighbors, an annual multinational training event that showcased the interoperability and strength of the partnerships Ohio has built with both the Hungarian Defence Forces and Serbian Armed Forces.

“The most significant part of us participating in exercises like Neighbors is we get to work together with two of our state partners — not just Hungary, but Serbia,” Woodruff said. “We come together and conduct an amazing event where three different countries are working together to show the strength that comes when we all work together as a team.”

The exercise culminated in a complex trench-clearing operation involving service members from all three nations. Despite language differences and varying military backgrounds, participating forces successfully coordinated their efforts to accomplish the mission.

“A trench mission is one of the most complex things we do,” Woodruff said. “To have three different countries that sometimes have a language barrier work together, train together and accomplish the objective shows how effective these partnerships have become.”

The training scenario reflected lessons learned from current conflicts around the world. Woodruff noted that military planners continue adapting training exercises to prepare troops for evolving battlefield conditions.

“If you look at the Ukraine-Russia war, trench warfare is something we haven’t seen for years. We must take those lessons learned and implement them into current training plans to ensure our Soldiers, the Hungarian Defence Forces and the Serbian Armed Forces are prepared to operate in the most challenging and dynamic environments.”

While emerging technologies such as drones continue to reshape modern warfare, Woodruff stressed that traditional ground forces remain essential.

“Drones are an important part of warfare now, and we’re seeing that in conflicts around the world,” he said. “But you can never hold and maintain ground without infantry on the ground. It’s going to be a combination of both drone technology and the infantry Soldier.”

Beyond the field training, Woodruff met with senior Hungarian military leaders to discuss future opportunities for cooperation. During meetings with Hungarian Defence Forces leadership, discussions focused on expanding collaboration in areas such as cyber operations, air defense and military decision-making processes.

“We talked about future opportunities for the Hungarian Defence Forces and the Ohio National Guard,” Woodruff said. “These are still in the early stages, but they’re exciting opportunities to continue expanding our partnership.”

The Ohio National Guard and Hungary have maintained a partnership through the State Partnership Program since 1993, making it one of the program’s longest-standing relationships. Ohio’s partnership with Serbia began in 2006 and has continued to grow through recurring exchanges, exercises and leadership engagements. Ohio’s third state partnership — with the Republic of Angola — was formalized this year, beginning a new era of exchanges techniques, tactics and procedures, growing capabilities and building relationships to support regional stability and shared security objectives.

Woodruff said the enduring relationships formed through the SPP remain one of its greatest strengths.

“This trip has been amazing for all of us,” he said. “From the Soldier level, executing missions alongside Hungarian and Serbian partners, to leadership engagements across the Hungarian Defence Forces, these relationships are what make us strong. The partnership that’s been 33 years with Hungary and 20 years with Serbia is what makes us strong.”

Woodruff reflected on how leadership engagements and shared training opportunities like Exercise Neighbors continue to strengthen all three nations.

“Every time we get together and engage at the leadership level, it develops opportunities for us to find new paths to continue growing as an Ohio National Guard and as partners with Hungary,” he said. “Each time we train together, our Soldiers become stronger, and hopefully our Hungarian partners walk away feeling they have improved as well.”

The State Partnership Program continues to serve as a cornerstone of international military cooperation, fostering professional relationships, enhancing readiness and strengthening security partnerships that extend far beyond the training field.

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