The golden age of airbase Taszár, aka the Freedom Camp

Twenty years ago the Hungarian Military decided that they closed Taszár Airbase, the place where thousands of american troops were stationed during the Yugoslav wars. The airport was a main object for Hungary for over fifty years even in 50's when soviet aircrafts landed in Taszár. 

The airfield and the military base was built in the 50's, it had a key role for the Hungarian People's Army, because the object was a strategic place to defend southern hungarian airspace from the sometimes suspicious neighbour Yugoslavia. 

Taszár airbase was built with the help of the Soviet Union, and air forces of the Warsaw Pact often were stationed here. It was a strategic place for them also soviet aircrafts were landing in Taszár. At that time no one was allowed in the base, soldiers and politic leaders only.  

U.S. troops in Taszár

The airfield provided protection for the southwestern area of the country, and troops were getting jet fighter training there. U.S. troops were stationed in Taszár from 1995. The soldiers were actually peacekeepers, they main task were to maintain peace in Bosnia during the Yugoslav wars. The first american who took foot on Taszár cement was col. Ron Williams, spokesman for the US Air Force on December 9th of 1995. That day landed the first two C-130 Hercules transport aircraft carrying American troops with 111 soldiers on board. 

According to contemporary reports, the soldiers prepared accommodations and had set up a logistics base for the 3000 American peacekeepers nearby town of Kaposvar. Although our newspaper reported later this year, that already 6000 troops were stationed in Taszár. 

From this on Taszár Airbase got the most important role, even the american president Bill Clinton visited the american forces in Hungary. He adressed them at the base, president Clinton also announced: he had created a new medal for everyone serving in the Bosnian peace mission. 

According to reports, at this time in Kaposvár there were hopes for economic recovery and also fears from AIDS, heavy drug use and prostitution. At all the hopes for economic boom was realized, because a never before seen economic increase started in the area of Taszár and Kaposvár as well.  

The troops of Task Forces Eagle had only a short amount of time in Taszár, as soon as they arrived, after a short break from travelling they were sent away to Bosnia. 

 The last american soldiers left Taszár in 2004, the base was decided to close for good only a year after. Since then decay is the master in the area. Some endeavors to utilize the area for economic purposes are appearing from time to time, but yet to fulfilled. In 2023. Hungarian Goverment - the owner of the former military object - sold the airbase to a investor group. The taiwanese owned Billion Up Kft. did not announced anything about its plans with Taszár. But according to our sources economic exploitation may happen in the future. Maybe this will be the next golden age of Taszár.