The Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos accompanied by the HNGS Vice-Admiral Georgios Giakoumakis and HAFGS Lt General Christos Vaitsis visited 135 Combat Wing, 22 Guided Missile Squadron, 7th Control and Warning Station Wing in Skyros and LIMNOS Frigate to exchange season’s greetings with the personnel and draftees. The visit was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Nikos Mavraganis. The mayor of Skyros attended the event in Skyros.
During the visit to 135 Combat Wing and while the Minister was chatting with the stand-by crews, the aircraft were ordered by the National Air Control Centre to take off and identify the traces which entered Athens FIR.
In his address to the crew of the Frigate LIMNOS the Minister stated the following:
“We are here with the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Mr. Mavraganis, the Chief of the Hellenic Navy and the Chief of Fleet to wish you a “Merry Christmas” and thank you for your excellent work.
Christmas is very important for Orthodoxy and all of us. Your readiness and determination is important for rendering a feeling of security to the Greek people.
The Hellenic Navy personnel remain at their post, a vigilant guard of honour and dignity for our country. We are going through a period of geopolitical changes in the Mediterranean. We see that the balances we knew up to this moment are shaken. The presence of our Navy, being a national and allied power in NATO, is playing an important role for the consolidation of stability in the wider region.
All of you, Officers, NCOs, Sailors, dedicate a great part of your lives to secure national sovereignty and the territorial integrity of our country.
I would like to thank you especially for your high morale and professionalism and reassure you that we always have in mind, as a priority, to support the personnel of the Armed Forces. The most powerful weapon system of our country is the personnel, all of you who are not at days like these with their families, giving a feeling of security to all Greeks.
We will stick to our guns. We will defend our national sovereign rights no matter what. You have the support of all the Greek people, of the interior an abroad.
We are grateful for your excellent work. Mary Christmas to you and your families”.
During his visit to 135 Combat Wing the Minister of National Defence stated the following:
“We are extremely honoured and happy to be here, at this historic Unit, in view of Christmas and the Holy days to come, to extend season’s greetings and wish you all a Merry Christmas. This island is of utter national and geostrategic importance for its contribution to defending the national air space, national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Your deeds are an important Capital for the nation, as you are executing a high mission, and your uninterrupted presence is contributing to the deterring capability of our country.
Allow me to thank you for your hard work, your professionalism, high morale and readiness which all prove that our personnel is the most powerful weapon we have.
I believe that the days to come, the new year will mark a new beginning. A new beginning for our country, during which, having survived the financial crisis, using mostly our geostrategic position on the map, which you have safeguarded and you have enhanced with your readiness and professionalism, we will be able to reimburse all Armed Forces personnel for all the damages incurred during these dire crisis years.
On behalf of the government and the Prime Minister, as well as of the Greek people, I am expressing our deep gratitude.
I wish to all of you and your families from the depths of my heart a Merry Christmas. Rest assured that the political and military leadership along with the Greek people are by your side.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”.
