On Monday 22 January 2024, the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, accompanied by the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Ioannis Kefalogiannis, attended the Chief of Hellenic Tactical Air Force change of responsibility ceremony, with Lieutenant General (HAF) Panagiotis Georgakopoulos assuming responsibility from Lieutenant General (HAF) Georgios Fasoulas.

The ceremony took place in 110 Combat Wing in Larissa and was also attended by:

– MPs Christos Kapetanos, Christos Kellas, Maximos Charakopoulos, Evangelia Liakouli.

– The Head of Region of Thessaly, Dimitrios Kouretas.

– The mayor of Larissa, Athanasios Mamakos.

– His Eminence, the Metropolitan of Larissa and Tyrnavos, Mr Ieronymos.

On behalf of the military leadership, the ceremony was attended by the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras HN, and the Chief of Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General (HAF) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis.

Finally, the ceremony was also attended by Honorary Chiefs, General and Senior Officers of the Armed and Security Forces, as well as representatives of the three Services of the Armed Forces, and Retired Officers Associations.

Also, it was attended by the head of the leading minority of the Regional Council of Thessaly, Mr Kostas Agorastos, members of regional and local government, and representatives of authorities.

After presenting the outgoing Chief of Tactical Air Force with a commemorative gift, Mr Dendias stated:

“Allow me to say, without taking up much of the time dedicated to the outgoing Chief of Hellenic Tactical Air Force, that I perceive your attendance as a great display of appreciation and respect to his personality and contribution to the Armed Forces of our Country, and more particularly to the Hellenic Air Force. Not only during the past two years, but also during the many years that he served the country.

I don’t consider my presence here a formality, but an essential homage to the outgoing Chief of Hellenic Tactical Air Force, and to his total contribution to the country, his morals, and character.

On behalf of the Government, and all of us here, if I may say so, I would like to thank him deeply, for his contribution and wish all the best for him and his family.

Chief, I wish you all the best in your future endeavours, and to always be in good health”. Thank you very much”.