On Friday, November 24, 2023 and in the presence of the Minister of National Defense Mr. Nikolaos-Georgios Dendias and the Chief of GES Lt. General Angelos Houdeloudis as a representative of the Chief of General Defense Forces General Konstantinos Floros, the Day of Distinguished Visitors (DV – Day) of the Transnational Exercise “OLYMPIC COOPERATION” took place – 23/OLYMPIC COOPERATION – 23” at the Xanthi Tank Shooting Range (PBAX) in Petrochori, Xanthi.
“OLYMPIC COOPERATION – 23” which is implemented on an annual basis, is a LIVEX/FTX (Live Exercise/Field Training Exercise) type exercise and was conducted from Monday 13 to Friday 24 November 2023, as part of the planning of GEETHA in terms of international activities of the Armed Forces (AF), between the AF units of Greece, Cyprus, the USA, France, Bulgaria and Georgia, as well as the participation of observers from Egypt, Albania, Armenia, the United United Arab Emirates, India, Jordan, Romania, and Saudi Arabia.
The joint training of France-Greece land forces for the first time on Greek soil is highlighted, in the context of the implementation of the “Guidelines for the Upgrading of Greek-French Military Cooperation” signed by the Chief of Defense Forces General Konstantinos Floros and the Chief of the French Defense Staff General Thierry Burkhard (press here), aiming to strengthen cooperation and interoperability between the EDs of the 2 Countries.
During its conduct, the participants had the opportunity to practice scenarios of defensive and offensive operations at the tactical level, as well as the execution of real fires using Tactical Engagement Simulation Systems (SETE), in order to strengthen the level of operational readiness, combat capability , understanding, exchange of know-how and interoperability between the participating forces.
In the context of the Exercise, the following items were performed, among others:
● Artillery, tank and mortar fire.
● Crossing water obstacles.
● Training in Close Air Support (CAS) and Close Combat Attack (CCA) scenarios with Terminal Fire Guidance by specialized personnel (Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC).
● Dual energy exercises using SETE.
● Defense – Redeployment, Transgression – Counterattack and Stabilization – Reorganization items.
DV – Day was also attended by:
● The Ambassador of France in Greece, Mrs. Laurence Auer.
● The Deputy Commander of the Land Forces of France Lieutenant General Guillaume du Breil de Pontbriand, the Commander of the 1st ARMY/EU-OHQ Lieutenant General Ioannis Tsioplos and the Commander of the 4th Army Corps Lieutenant General Demokritos Konstantakos.
● The Commander of the Headquarters Multinational Division South East (MND–SE) Major General Dorin Toma, the Director of the 1st Branch of the GES Major General Emmanuel Theodorou and the Commander of the XX Armored Division (XX TTHM “MACEDONIA”) Major General Nikolaos Athanatos.
● The Commander of the 7th FR Armored Brigade Brigadier Phillipe Le Carff.
● Colonel Antonio Merenda as representative of the Italian Brigade “GARIBALDI.
● Defense Entourages and Military Entourages of foreign countries in Greece.
● Representatives of the local government, the Military Authorities and accredited journalists.
Read the original at Defence247.gr
