The Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, visited on Thursday afternoon 31 July 2025 the 355 Tactical Transport Squadron of the 112 Combat Wing at the Elefsina Air Base.

The Minister of National Defence, accompanied by the Chief HAFGS Lieutenant General Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, was briefed by the Commander of the 355 Squadron on the unit’s mission, activities and the firefighting operations conducted since the beginning of the summer wildfire season. He was also informed about maintenance, availability and readiness issues concerning the Hellenic Air Force’s aerial firefighting fleet.

The Minister attended a demonstration and presentation of CL 215/415 and toured the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, where he spoke with flying, technical and administrative personnel.

In his address to the staff. Mr. Dendias referred to the Air Force’s ongoing mission to support Society and strengthen collective security, alongside all branches of the Armed Forces. As the Minister of National Defence noted, since the beginning of 2025 a total of 541 firefighting missions (lasting 1.265 flight hours) and 884 air medical evacuation missions (lasting 2.610 flight hours) have been carried out, during which 1.369 patients and 26 organs were transported.

It also noted that since July 2023, 164 members of the Armed Forces have been assigned as ambulance drivers at 67 health facilities across the country, including EKAV units, Health Centers and Multipurpose Regional Clinics.

The visit was also honoured by the presence of the Commander of the Air Support Command Major General Vasileios Broumas and the Commander of the 112 Combat Wing Brigadier General Efhtymios Simitzis.

In his address, Mr. Dendias stated the following:

“Ladies and Gentlemen,

My presence here today at the 112 Combat Wing confirms once again the Society’s lasting appreciation for your work, which goes beyond the narrow official parameters.

Your work rests on a wider mission. To support society and strengthen collective security. The citizens’ security.

You have a key role to play in protecting the lives and property of Greek citizens, alongside our Country’s natural heritage and unique environment.

Both the crews and technical teams carry out operations on a daily basis, 24-hours a day, often under the most extreme conditions with self-denial and courage. Firmly committed to duty and their constitutional mission. Each and every of your flights safeguards the Country, the National Health System, and Civil Protection. Since the beginning of 2025 a total of 541 firefighting missions (lasting 1.265 flight hours) and 884 air medical evacuation missions (lasting 2.610 flight hours) have been carried out, during which 1.369 patients and 26 organs were transported to give life to our fellow humans.

Moreover, since July 2023, 164 members of the Armed Forces have been assigned as ambulance drivers at 67 health facilities across the country, including EKAV units, Health Centers and Multipurpose Regional Clinics – an action for which I have given the order to Chief HNDGS to continue this year as well.

Thus, we are allowed to have quantifiable information on the enormous effort of all three Branches of the Armed Forces to stand next to each Greek man and woman.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Society is fully aware of the mission you are carrying out. As minimum form of recognition, the flying pay supplement for pilots and the night compensation for technical teams has been increased. And such a supportive measure is a commitment that enhances both adequacy and the office.

This includes the reinforcement of the fleet through the procurement of seven new DHC-515 aircrafts and the final upgrading of CL-415.

Because I should like to inform you that the “Agenda 2030” is not limited to fighter aircrafts. It extends to all other actions that support our social cohesion.

At this point, as Minister of Defence, I have a duty to carry out. To express my condolences on behalf of all Greeks to the families of those who have lost their life up to this day in this effort to support the society. Totally 19 firefighting aircraft pilots. And I should like to reassure you that we not only do not forget them, but we are honouring them.

And like I always do, please allow me to mention each one of them by name. To:

DIMITRIOS LOUDIANOS (26/10/1989)

IOANNIS METHENITIS (16/9/1992)

MINAS ATSALAKIS (29/7/1993)

LT ATHANASIOS BESLEMES (7/8/2000)

MAJ STEFANOS KOURELIAS (25/8/2003)

COL STERGIOS KOTOULAS (27/8/2009)

MAJ MICHAIL ZIOTAS (26/5/1977)

2^ND LT CHARALAMPOS LIASKOS (26/5/1977)

2^ND LT NIKOLAOS GEORGIOU (26/5/1977)

COL CHARALAMPOS SKAMAGKOULIS (9/3/1984)

CPT IOANNIS EPITROPAKIS (9/3/1984)

CPT STYLIANOS KELETSEKIS (22/8/1993)

2^ND LT KONSTANTINOS PALAMIOTIS (22/8/1993)

MAJ IOANNIS MYLONAS (15/7/2000)

2^ND LT IOANNIS KARASAVVAS (15/7/2000)

CPT CHRISTOS MOULAS (25/7/2023)

2^ND LT PERIKLIS STEFANIDIS (25/7/2023)

CPT DIMITRIOS STOILIDIS (23/7/2007)

LT IOANNIS CHATZOUDIS (23/7/2007).

Ladies and Gentlemen, we do not forget our dead.

And now, I should like to refer to the flight staff under a Private Law Employment Contract.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Technical competence, operational availability and professional integrity are the foundation of cooperation.

And I would like to congratulate the entire personnel. Both flight and technical personnel that is constantly and technically alert; that fights 24-hours a day, so that our fleet would be ready to carry out effectively the difficult task of both firefighting and air medical evacuation.

I would like to thank you once again; to wish you all the best with your mission and always be safe!

Thank you very much”.