Here is a recap of the events on 29 March 1989...

A Hungarian Airliner was hijacked in Prague, Czechoslovakia by two 16 year old boys brandishing a shotgun and hunting rifle. News reports stated the two had a shoot out with police in Prague. The aircraft landed at Rhein Main Air Base with many hostages on board including a Hungarian diplomat. The hijackers instructed the pilot to taxi in the direction of our military ramp. In less than fifteen minutes, Patrolman Miguel Mendez and I responded with a fully armed and equipped Emergency Services Team of 15 men to the scene. CATM also responded as our snipers. The hijackers tried to request political asylum. One hijacker pointed a rifle at the pilots head and stated the pilot would be shot if they did not get political asylum. "Condition Orange" was initiated and we were ready for anything to happen.

Approximately one hour later the hijackers agreed to surrender and peacefully deplaned. EST immediately surrounded them and the hijackers were taken into custody by German Federal Police. Although this situation was resolved peacefully, EST's immediate response and mission ready capability to meet the threat head on was noted by decision makers at all levels in the chain of command. The members of EST trained many long and hard hours preparing to defuse any threat. Luckily, it was rare for EST to be deployed to such a nerve racking event with possible global consequences.