On Friday 8 November 2024, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias represented the President of the Hellenic Government in the ceremony for the official celebration of the Patron Saint of the Hellenic Air Force, Archangel Michael, which took place in the Hellenic Air Force Academy (Ikaron) in Dekelia Air Base.
The Doxology was officiated by His Eminence the Metropolitan of Ilion, Acharnae, and Petroupolis Mr. Athinagoras.
The ceremony was attended by MP Giannis Loverdos as representative of the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, MP, Former Minister of National Defence, and Honorary Chief of Hellenic Armed Forces General Staff, Admiral (ret.) Evangelos Apostolakis as representative of the Parliamentary Group of SYRIZA, MP Mihalis Katrinis as representative of the Chair of PASOK-KINAL party, MP Stylianos Fotopoulos, as representative of the Elliniki Lysi party, and Deputy Head of Region for Eastern Attica, Vasiliki Kavallari.
On behalf of military leadership, the ceremony was attended by the Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, as representative of the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, the Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras HN, the Chief of Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General (HAF) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, the Chief of the Fire Service, Lieutenant General (Fire Service) Theodoros Vagias, the General Director of the General Directorate of Defence Investments and Armaments, Major General Ioannis Bouras, representatives of the Chiefs of Police and Coast Guard, Honorary Chiefs, General Officers of the Hellenic Air Force and other personnel of the Armed Forces, as well as Defence Attacheés of foreign countries.
During his address, Mr Dendias stated:
“It is a great pleasure to be here in the Hellenic Air Force Academy today, for the celebration of Archangel Michael, the Patron Saint of our Air Force.
Greek wings, are present wherever and whenever they are needed on a daily basis. Not only in order to protect the independence, sovereignty, and sovereign rights of our Country, but also to help society in its time of need.
They are a basic pillar of deterrence, but also a pillar of support for the Greek public.
The Hellenic State, acknowledging the increasing part they play, has carried out a very grand modernisation programme, in the framework of the “2030 Agenda”. It is mandatory for that to happen, so that the Hellenic Air Force can carry out its very significant work.
That is achieved through the homogenisation and modernisation of its aircraft fleet, and also through the improvement of the living conditions of the personnel serving in that fleet, and, consequently, serving society.
On a day like this, however, we must pay tribute to those who are not with us anymore. To the pilots and personnel, who fell on duty. We need to make a particular mention to the 167 Fallen Pilots, who fell from 1974 until today. Allow me, however, to make particular mention to those who fell during my service as Minister, as I always do.
CAPTAIN (HAF) PANAGIOTIS LASKARIS (26/1/2015)
CAPTAIN (HAF) ATHANASIOS ZAGAS (26/1/2015)
CAPTAIN (HAF) CHRISTOS MOULAS (25/7/2023)
SECOND LIEUTENANT (HAF) PERIKLIS STEFANIDIS (25/7/2023)
MAJOR (HAF) EPAMINONDAS KOSTEAS (27/12/2023)
Their memory constitutes a sacred legacy for us, but mainly for the personnel of the Hellenic Air Force.
Finally, I would like to firstly wish many happy returns and health to everyone serving in the Hellenic Air Force and their families, and express my deepest congratulations and my belief that our Air Force will keep on supporting the Country.
Thank you very much”.
