On Thursday, 16 May 2024, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Giannis Kefalogiannis, visited Units and Surveillance Outposts in Ikaria and Fourni, accompanied by the Commanding General of the High Military Command of Interior and Islands, Lieutenant General Emmanouil Theodorou, and the Commanding General of the 79th Higher National Guard Battalions Command “MYKALI”, Brigadier General Eleftherios Ikonomou. The visits were also attended by MP for Samos Mr. Christodoulos Stefanadis.
Mr. Kefalogiannis went to the Ikaria Island Defence Command headquarters, where he was welcomed by its Commander, Colonel (Inf) Theodoros Tekedis. The Deputy Minister discussed with the personnel and was briefed on the organization, mission, and current activities. Furthermore, he had the opportunity to meet with the National Guardsmen of the National Guard Battalion of Aghios Kirykos, whom he thanked for the contribution to the protection of Greece’s national sovereignty and interests.
He then visited the General Hospital of Ikaria, where he congratulated the two Professional Soldiers assigned as drivers to meet Medical Emergency Centre needs, and the Regional Clinic of Fourni, where he met with the enlisted doctor assigned by the Ministry of National Defence to meet the Clinic’s needs, whom he thanked for his important work.
Finally, he visited the Surveillance Outpost of “FOURNI”, where he discussed with the personnel and congratulated them for their high morale and high level of operational readiness.
After the visit, the Deputy Minister of National Defence made the following statement:
“I am here today in Ikaria and Fourni, two islands of the Eastern Aegean which are at the forefront of our Country’s deterrent power, proudly confirming once again the high operational level and morale of the men and women of the Armed Forces protecting our Country’s territorial integrity. I visited the Ikaria Island Defence Command headquarters and the Surveillance Outpost of Fourni, where I had the opportunity to meet with the cadre and National Guardsmen and kindly thank them for their contribution. Moreover, I went to the General Hospital of Ikaria and the Regional Clinic of Fourni, where I congratulated the enlisted doctor and the two Professional Soldiers assigned as drivers for the Medical Emergency Centre for their great work.
The personnel of the Armed Forces protects Greece’s national sovereignty and interest and will continue to support the residents in our border areas, whenever and wherever necessary.”
