Cooperation with Hungary

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Wendy Kuhn
  • 121st ARW
RICKENBACKER ARMY NATIONAL GUARD FLIGHT FACILITY --  Tech. Sgt. Steven Schwarck, cyberspace operations, 121st Air Refueling Wing Communications Flight, travelled to Budapest, Hungary for three days in September 2015, as part of the National Guard State Partnership Program.
The National Guard State Partnership Program couples state National Guard units with a partner country in order to help improve bilateral relations with the United States. The Ohio National Guard is partnered with Hungary and the Republic of Serbia.

During the visit, Tech. Sgt. Schwarck and SFC Shaun Justice, an Information Technology Specialist with the Ohio Army National Guard, met with the Hungarian Military National Security Service to discuss cyber defense topics.
"We discussed our methods of cyber security - our architecture, solutions and software, and we also explained aspects of DoD 8570, which provides guidance on training for DoD staff," said Tech. Sgt. Schwarck.

Tech. Sgt. Schwarck said the personnel from Hungary were also very interested in how the concept of the National Guard works and how members maintain full-time civilian jobs while also serving part-time in the National Guard.
"Because of our experiences as not only service members but also federal and civilian employees, we were able to bring a very wide perspective to the table," said Tech. Sgt. Schwark.

"We have trained professionals who do this line of work outside the Guard," said 1st Lt. Clinton Hensley, Communications Flight commander, 121st Air Refueling Wing. "So for us and the state of Ohio, to be able to benefit from the training they receive from the Air Force as well as from their civilian employers, it's a win-win."

The mission of cyber protection ultimately falls under the Army's area of responsibility, but the Airmen of the 121st Communications Flight were asked to participate as well because of their specific expertise and because of other exercises they have participated in with the Army National Guard, 1st Lt. Hensley said.

"We're very proud of our members and their ability to take their knowledge from outside the 121st and use it here," said 1st Lt. Hensley. "The 121st Communications Flight has really stepped up and shown we have the skillset that can help our state grow their cyber protection mission."