The Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos accompanied by the Chief of HNDGS Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis and the Chief of HAGS Lieutenant General Vasileios Tellidis attended the celebration for the Feast of Prophet Elias, patron saint of the Army Aviation, at the 1st Army Aviation Brigade, Stefanovikeio, Magnesia prefecture.
The Minister of National Defence, among other things, stated in his address:
“I am particularly pleased to be here today, at the 1st Army Aviation Brigade, to celebrate with you the Feast Day of Prophet Elias, patron saint of the Army Aviation.
This feast of the patron saint shows the unbreakable bond of the Greek people with their saints, demonstrating thus the permanent relation between the two cornerstones, our Homeland and Orthodox faith.
This is also a day of commemoration and honour for the immortal heroes, fallen pilots and helicopter crews who sacrificed themselves for our country’s freedom, independence and integrity, several of them in peace time.
However, “the passion for freedom does not die”.
Their sacrifice will guide us all in our duty.
It is to them that we owe the obligation to never strike our flags and continue our struggle to make Greece sovereign, proud and independent.
This obligation of ours is more crucial than ever. It is a moral and national imperative.
You are the ones to whom our country confides modern expensive weapon assets. Their capabilities can be augmented by your excellent abilities and enhance our army’s battle worthiness in a modern combat field.
You are the ones who offer our country, our society and fellow human beings, invaluable services, such as defending human lives and properties.
You are the hope when a helicopter approaches a borderline island or a remote area in order to transfer an injured. You are the hope when a fire or some other disaster occurs.
Therefore, I take this chance, today, to make a special mention to the crews of the flying assets of all the three branches which fly every day, day and night long, under any weather conditions above our country’s territory, above our islands and above the Greek seas and they prove with each flight they perform that they do not just practice a simple profession. They perform a mission to the benefit of our homeland.
Honoured personnel of the army aviation,
Keep your faith and strength from the moral values and traditions of our nation.
Be worthy of the Greek people’s expectations by utilizing what they offer us out of their low incomes.
Prove, through your professionalism and your faith to military virtues, that the strength of Greek pilots remains constantly high.
Continue with responsibility and high morale the improvement of our personnel and units.
Keep up your effort.
Go on with your mission.
We are proud of you. We are proud of what you manage to do every day on every field where your Arm operates.
From today on, by decision of the Council of Chiefs, as well as of the Supreme Defence Council, Prophet Elias is officially established as Patron Saint of the Army Aviation. In a few days, you will also have the Insignia of Prophet Elias which will be placed on your uniforms.
I would also like to announce that, as part of the reorganization of the Armed Forces, the Army Aviation will undertake the hard work of training of all helicopters of all the three Branches. I would also wish to announce that we are very close to an agreement by which the maintenance base will undertake a big project at a global level which will upgrade it and it will also upgrade your work in the Army Aviation, whereas it will also be an opportunity for growth in the region, an opportunity for the creation of work posts and it will reinforce our country’s defence capabilities.
I wish Prophet Elias stand by you and give strength and health to your families, and good and safe landings to you.
Happy Feast Day”.
