The Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias, concluded yesterday his four-day tour of the Aegean borderline islands and islets with visits to Lesvos, Lemnos, and Samothrace, and more
particularly to:
– 41 Infantry Regiment Tactical Command in Samothrace.
– The Surveillance Outposts of “MYTHIMNA” in Lesvos and “PLAKA” in Lemnos.

He also visited HS MYKONIOS, which deploys in the wider Northern Aegean Sea area, and met with and exchanged season’s greetings with the pilots  and mechanics of 347 Squadron F-16 fighter aircraft and Super Puma HELOs readiness echelons at 130 Battle Group in Lemnos.

During his visits, Mr. Hardalias was briefed by the Commanding Officers on operational matters and exchanged season’s greetings with the members, conscripts, and members of the National Guard, in view of the
Christmas and New Year holidays.

The Deputy Minister of National Defence also met with the Northern Aegean Deputy Regional Governor, Mr. Panagiotis Koufelos, Lemnos Provincial Governor, Mr. Aggelos Vlattas – Lambrinos, the Major of
Western Lesvos, Mr. Taxiarchis Verros, of Lemnos, Mr. Dimitrios Marinakis, and of Samothrace, Mr. Nikolaos Galatoumos, the General Regional Police Director of Northern Aegean, Major General Eleftherios
Douroudous, as well as regional Security Forces Commanders.

During his visit to Lesvos and Lemnos, the Deputy Minister of National Defence was accompanied by the Commander of the Higher Military Command of Interior and Islands, Lieutenant General Dimitrios Houpis, whereas in Samothrace, he was accompanied by D Army Corps Commander, Lieutenant General Ioannis Tsioplos. He was welcomed by the Commanders of 98 Higher National Guard Battalions Command, Major General Grigorios Boutliakis, of ΧΙΙ Mechanized Infantry Division, Major General Panagiotis Kavidopoulos, of 88 Military Command, Brigadier General Konstantinos Takopoulos, of 41 Infantry Regiment Tactical Command, Colonel Georgios Selaidinakos, of 130 Battle Group, Colonel (HAF) Thomas Papadimitriou and by the Surveillance Outposts Sergeants of the Guard.

While at Lemnos “PLAKA” Surveillance Outpost, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias, stated as follows:

“To the threats, inarticulate cries, and historically inaccurate rhetoric, we respond in a sober, calm, and alert manner.

Today, a tour of 24 islands is being concluded here in Lemnos, following visits to 30 Formations, Units, and Outposts. I would like to assure you that the morale of the men and women of the Armed Forces, who arduously labour on a daily basis on all edges of the Aegean and of the Country, remains high, unique, coupled with distinct commitment and sense of duty towards the Country and our Flag”.