05/15/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/16/2024 03:34
The Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Giannis Kefalogiannis visited today, Wednesday 15 May 2024, Army Units and Surveillance Outposts of the Area of Responsibility of the 79 Higher National Guard Battalions Command "MYKALI" at Samos island, accompanied by the Commanding General of the Higher Military Command of Interior and Islands, Lieutenant General Emmanouil Theodorou, and the Commander of the 79 Higher National Guard Battalions Command, Brigadier General Eleftherios Oikonomou.
Mr. Kefalogiannis visited the HQ of the 79 Higher National Guard Battalions Command, where he was briefed on its organization, mission and current activities, and discussed with the personnel.
Afterwards, he went to the General Hospital of Samos, where he met with Military Doctors, a General Practitioner and a Cardiologist, who are allocated by the Ministry of National Defence to cover the Hospital's needs, and thanked and congratulated them on their important task.
Mr. Deputy Minister also met and discussed with National Guardsmen of the National Guard Battalion of Samos. He underlined that the National Guardsmen are the link between the Armed Forces and the local communities, also highlighting that for the Ministry of National Defence, the National Guard is a force multiplier; for this reason, the upgrading of this institution is a key will, whose main objective is the improvement of training and the increase of the operational capabilities of the National Guard Units. The recent voting of a new legal context for the rationalization of the conscription provisions and the upgrading of the institution, so as to enhance its effectiveness, is a tangible proof.
Afterwards, he visited the Observation Outpost "PSILI AMMOS", where he was briefed by, and discussed with, the personnel, and then visited the "FLOKAS" Military Camp that contains the machinery of the Engineers Corps, used in the context of firefighting works.
Concluding his visit, he went to the Regional Clinic of Samos, where he congratulated the two drivers of the National Centre for Emergency Care, who are Professional Conscripts.
Upon concluding his visit, the Deputy Minister of National Defence made the following statement:
"It is a great joy for me to be here in Samos today, where I visited Units on the island, and was briefed on their activities and task. I had the opportunity to discuss with the personnel of the Armed Forces, as well as with the National Guardsmen, who have a dual role, as members both of the local community and the Armed Forces. I also visited the General Hospital of Samos, where we have allocated two doctors who cover critical specialisations, i.e. General Practitioner and Cardiologist, but also the Regional Clinic of Samos, where we have allocated two Professional Conscripts as drivers of the National Centre for Emergency Care, and thanked them on their contribution to the local community. In parallel, I had the opportunity to visit the "FLOKAS" Military Camp and see the machinery of the Engineers Corps, used in the context of firefighting works.
The Ministry of National Defence will carry on safeguarding national sovereignty, the rights of our Country, and the feeling of security at our borderline regions, among which is the island of Samos. The Armed Forces always by the side of the society, will carry on proving in practice their deep social value, whether this means the enhancement of Public Health, or their contribution to Civil Protection, and wherever needed."