The political and military leadership of the Ministry of National Defence attended the official celebration for the Patron-Saint of the Hellenic Air Force, Archangel Michael, which took place at the Hellenic Air Force Academy in Tatoi.  

The Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos, during his address, stated the following:

“Chief,

The political leadership of the Ministry of National Defence, the Alternate Minister Mr. Vitsas, the Secretary General Mr. Tafillis, the Government, as well as the Greek people, we would like to say that we feel proud for the Hellenic Air Force’s task.

We are proud of the heroes whom we have wronged over a long period, and mostly the heroes of Cyprus, the heroes of the operation “Niki”. As we announced, with the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff and the Chiefs of the General Staffs, we have initiated every necessary procedure to redress this act of injustice, that is the omission to pay tribute to those who fell for our faith and our country to whom the state has not paid the proper homage that it ought to until today.

I wish to thank, in particular, the Honorary Chiefs and Military Attaches of our friendly and allied Embassies for their presence here today. I want to thank the parents, the associations of the Fallen Air Force Officers because they offered more than we did. You offered your husbands, your children to the country. I want you to know that it is not only on these occasions that we commemorate and honour the heroes.

In my turn, I wish to add a few things to what the Chief said. I want to address the Air Force Cadets, the future of the Air Force, the future leaders of the Hellenic Air Force to tell them that the State will be always at your side. We are proud of them and I am sure that they will continue the tradition of the Hellenic Air Force.

With Mr. Vitsas, the Alternate Minister who is exclusively in charge of our defence industry, we give a big battle in order to be able, together with the Chiefs of the General Staffs, to reinforce our defence industry which will enable the existent assets, the flying assets, to be fully available.

I wish our patron Saints, our Archangels, from Mantamado to Panormitis, on Symi island, to protect our aircraft, our pilots, our Air Force personnel and their families under their wings. We honour and pay homage to our heroes, we honour our War Flag and I assure you that the Ministry of National Defence, regardless of political opinions – and I want to thank also Mr. Mpouras and his colleagues who are present here, representing the opposition parties – will stay out of any political controversies.

Good flights, smooth landings to everybody and thank you very much for being here today.

Happy Feast of Holy Archangels!”