Deputy Minister of National Defence Nikolaos Chardalias Visits 355th Tactical Transport Squadron and Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Elefsis Air Base

Deputy Minister of National Defence Nikolaos Chardalias Visits 355th Tactical Transport Squadron and Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Elefsis Air Base

August 28, 2023

On Sunday, 27 August 2023, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr Nikolaos Chardalias, visited the 355^thTactical Transport Squadronand the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron in Elefsis Air Base, accompanied by the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros, and the Chief of Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General (HAF) Themistoklis Bourolias.

The Deputy Minister of National Defence first visited the 355^thTactical Transport Squadron, where he was briefed by its Commander, Lieutenant Colonel (HAF) Ilias Veloudos, on its flight operations. Next, he addressed the pilots, mechanics, and personnel of the 355^thTactical Transport Squadron and the 383^rdSpecial Operations & Aerial Firefighting Squadron, conveying the deep gratitude of the Political Leadership of the Ministry of National Defence and of the whole Greek society for the bravery, self-sacrifice, and unparalleled courage in the performance of their duties during numerous aerial firefighting missions under extremely hard, dangerous, and often unpredictable conditions, as well as many other social contribution air missions with Canadair CL-215 and CL-415 aircraft.

Subsequently, Mr. Chardalias visited the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron facilities, where he was briefed by its Commander, Lieutenant Colonel (HAF) Antonios Vourvoulison the maintenance, availability, and operational readiness of air assets. He addressed the mechanics and the ground support personnel and congratulated them for their eagerness and professionalism regarding maintaining and keeping air assets and their systems at a high level of readiness and their especially important role in the successful conduct of aerial firefighting operations.

The Commander of the Air Support Command, Major General (HAF) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, and the Commander of 112^ndCombat Wing, Brigadier General (HAF) Vasileios Tosiosalso attended.