The Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias completed today, Friday 15 April 2022, his two-day visit to Army Formations, Services, Units and Surveillance Outposts at the Regions of Central and West Macedonia, and Thessaly.

The Deputy Minister of National Defence, in the context of his contacts with Armed Forces personnel, visited today the HQ of the 15^th Infantry Regiment in Kastoria, the 9^th Motorised Brigade in Kozani, the I Infantry Division in Veroia, the Army Aviation Training Centre in Alexandreia-Imathia, the XXIV Armoured Brigade and the Tanks Fire Range in Litochoro, and the 1^st Army Aviation Brigade in Stefanovikeio-Thessaly.

Mr. Hardalias was briefed by their Commanders on their history, organisation, mission, task, as well as on their current operational and training activities. In addition, he was toured at their camps and installations, and he discussed and exchanged wishes with personnel, conscripts and civilians, on the occasion of the forthcoming Holy days of Easter.

During his visit at the HQ of 1^st Army Aviation Brigade, the Deputy Minister of National Defence took part in a training flight with an “Apache” AH-64D Helicopter, in the framework of a programmed activity.

Moreover, Mr. Hardalias had work meetings with members of the Parliament, MPs and local Authorities and Bodies, as follows:

1. – In Kastoria, with the MP of Kastoria Mr. Zisis Tzikalagias, his Eminence the Metropolitan of Kasoria Mr. Kallinikos, the Vice Governor of the Regional Unit of Kastoria Ms. Despoina Kozatsani, the Mayor of Nestorio Mr. Christos Gosliopoulos, the Director of Kastoria Police Directorate Police Colonel Nikolaos Exarhos, and Fire Colonel Dimitrios Papoutsidis of the Kastoria Fire Service.

2. – In Kozani, with the Deputy Minister for transport issues Mr. Mihalis Papadopoulos, the MPs of Kozani Mr. Georgios Amanatidis, Ms. Paraskevi Vryzidou and Mr. Efstathios Konstantinidis, the Governor of the Regional Unit of West Macedonia Mr. Georgios Kassapidis, the Mayor of Kozani Mr. Lazaros Maloutas, the Director of Kozani Police Directorate Police Colonel Spyridon Diogaris, and the Commander of Regional Command Fire Services West Macedonia Fire Brigadier Sotirios Korelas.

3. – In Veroia, with the MP of Imathia Mr. Anastasios Bartzokas, and the Mayor of Veroia Mr. Konstantinos Vorgiazidis.

4. – In Alexandreia, with Mayor Mr. Panagiotis Gyrinis.

5. – In Litohoro, with the MP of Pieria Mr. Xenophon Baraliakos, the Vice Governor of the Regional Unit of Pieria Ms. Sophia Mavridou, the Mayors of Dion-Olympos Mr. Evangelos Geroliolios, and of Pydna-Kollindros Lieutenant General (ret.), Honorary Army Inspector General, Anestis Manolas.

At today’s visits, the Deputy Minister of National Defence was accompanied by the Commanding Generals: of the 1^st Army Lieutenant General Aggelos Houdeloudis, of the C’ Army Corps Lieutenant General Sotirios Kostakoglou, of the Special Warfare Command Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas, of the I Infantry Division Major General Paris Kapravelos, of the XX Armoured Division Major General Athanassios Garynis, of the XXIV Armoured Brigade Brigadier General Nikolaos Athanatos, of the 1^st Army Aviation Brigade Brigadier General Ioannis Heimarios, of the 9^th Motorised Brigade Brigadier General Eleftherios Pinakis, of the Army Aviation Training Centre Brigadier General Spyridon Kitsos, and of the 15^th Infantry Regiment Colonel Ioannis Smalios.