The Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Dimitris Elefsiniotis, visited today morning the 355 Tactical Transport Squadron and the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at the air base of Elefsis, accompanied by the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff Lieutenant General (AF) Antonios Tsantirakis.
Mr. Dimitris Elefsiniotis was briefed on the mission of the CL-215 firefighting aircraft and had the chance to discuss with the pilots, as well as the ground crew in charge of the firefighting aircraft day and night so as to maintain them at optimum flight condition.
Addressing the firefighting aircraft crews, Mr. Elefsiniotis underlined:
“I used to visit frequently the 355 Tactical Transport Squadron when I was Deputy Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff. For this reason I make my first visit here today as Deputy Minister of National Defence. I felt the need to find myself close to you, to look you in the eye and say that the Minister of National Defence and both Deputy Ministers, we are always by your side and we are informed every day on your task. We are trying to be spiritually with you, even though our schedule is loaded. You understand that the days we are living are difficult and the financial problems are known to all. We are constantly preoccupied with these matters and the Minister in particular is striving to preserve the salary, allowances and indemnities for military personnel.
What I have to say to you, on behalf of the Hellenic people, is ‘thank you’ for the service you offer; a big thank you to all of you flying, being in danger over the fire; a big thank you on behalf of the Ministry’s political leadership, but also on behalf of the Government, since the Minister of National Defence Panos Panagiotopoulos reports to the Prime Minister on a daily basis on the course of the fires and the struggle you make. Well done to the unseen heroes, the aircraft mechanics, for the aircraft do not only fly by pilots but also due to the hard work done by the personnel on ground. Concluding, I would like you to know that this is my first visit as Deputy Minister to a military unit since I assumed my duties and I only say it so that you knew how much I wanted to be by you”.
