Minister of National Defence Visits 355th Tactical Transport Squadron and 112th Combat Wing

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Minister of National Defence Visits 355th Tactical Transport Squadron and 112th Combat Wing

July 25, 2024

On Thursday 25 July 2024, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendiasaccompanied by the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Houpisand the Chief of Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General (HAF) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, visited the Elefsis Air Base, and more specifically the 355^th Tactical Transport Squadron of the 112^th Combat Wing.

The Minister of National Defence was briefed by the Commander of the 355^th Tactical Transport Squadron onthe unit's mission, work, and the firefighting missions that have taken place since the beginning of summer, as well as on matters of maintenance, availability, and readiness of the firefighting aircraft of the Hellenic Air Force.

The Minister discussed with pilots, technical, and directing personnel, and took a tour of the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

The visit was also attended by the Commanding General of the Hellenic Air Force Air Support Command, Lieutenant General (HAF) Apostolos Hortisand the Commanding General of the 112^thCombat Wing, Brigadier General (HAF) Efthimios Simitzis.

At the end of his visit, Nikos Dendias stated the following:

"Firstly, it is a great honour for me to visit the 112^thCombat Wing in Elefsis once more. A Combat Wing with the mission of undertaking and carrying out air support operations.

However, I must begin my statement by reminiscing the sacrifice of Captain (HAF) Christos Moulasand of Lieutenant (HAF) Periklis Stefanidis, who lost their lives protecting society on a day like today.We will remember them forever. We will remember them respectfully and with love.

Ladies and gentlemen, today, we find ourselves, in the base of the air firefighting struggle of our Country; the main base of CL-215 and CL-415 aircraft. These aircraft are the main pillar in this attempt for protecting society, in an "uneven" battle, against the conditions that have been shaped due to the environmental crisis and the challenges that we face every day, every hour, and every moment. Mainly on Greek territory, but also on a number of other countries of the broader area, such as Israel, North Macedonia and Albania. Countries which we have repeatedly helped face similar challenges.

I would like to express the pride I feel about all the work being conducted here, and I would like to say that, following a decision of the Prime Minister, in the following days, the implementation of the intent of the Ministry of National Defence will take place, regarding the provision of a night shift bonus to the technicians who struggle in the harshest of conditions every night, so that they can maintain the aircraft, and mainly the CL-215's which were procured about half a century ago, battle-worthy.

Closing, I would like to say that simply thanking the pilots, the technical personnel, the women and men, and all of those who participate in this grand effort is not enough. However, I know that they are proud because they conduct their constitutional duty, which is to protect the lives and properties of Greek citizens, and as it seems, to protect the entire society and our whole existence".