On Thursday 11 May 2023, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias visited the 1^st Army Aviation Brigade headquarters at Stefanovikeio, Magnisia, accompanied by the Commanding General of 1^st Army/EU-OHQ, Lieutenant General Ioannis Tsioplos.

The 1^st Army Aviation Commander, Brigadier General Georgios Stamnas welcomed the Deputy Minister of National Defence and informed him on operational matters and the aviation activities, as well as the current activities of the Formation.

Next, Mr. Hardalias attended the graduation ceremony and awarded the diplomas to 16 helicopter pilots of the Army, who successfully completed their attendance at the Pilots Refresher Training School, regarding Kiowa, Apache-A and Apache-D Helicopters.

The ceremony was also attended by the Commanders of the 1^st and 2^nd Attack Helicopters Battalions, Lieutenant Colonels Stylianos Brotsis and Lazaros Rizopoulos respectively.

Finally, the Deputy Minister of National Defence visited the facilities where a U.S. detachment of the “1^st Battalion, 214^th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion)” has been deployed, at the 1^st Army Aviation headquarters.

Earlier, Mr. Hardalias had meetings with the Mayor of Volos Mr. Achileas Beos at the Town Hall of Volos, and with the Reverend Metropolitan of Dimitrias & Almyros Ignatios, at the Holly Cathedral.