The Deputy Minister of National Defense Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias yesterday, Tuesday, September 27, 2022, during the first day of his two-day visit to the islands of the Eastern Aegean, he visited successively the headquarters of Groups, Units, Services and Guard Posts of the Army and the Navy, as follows.

– The Island Defense Command, the National Guard Battalion of Agios Kirikos and the “KEFALES” Guard Prison, in Ikaria.

– Of the 4th National Guard Company/National Guard Battalion of Agios Kirikos, in Fournos.

– Of the National Guard Battalion, in Patmos.

– Of the 2nd National Guard Company/National Guard Battalion of Patmos, in Lipsi.

– Of the 588th Battalion of the National Guard and the Naval Technical Facilities Service, in Leros.

– The Island Defense Command in Nisyros.

– The Island Defense Command in Tilos.

The Deputy Minister of National Defense was informed by the Commands of the Groups, Services and Units about their current operational and training activities and spoke with the Executives, Conscripts and National Guardsmen.

Additionally, during his stay in Leros, he visited the Gunboat NIKIFOROS and the Coastal Patrol Vessel TOXOTIS, where he was informed by the Governors about the mission and operational capabilities of the warships and talked to their crews.

Finally, Mr. Hardalias, in the context of the close but also essential cooperation of the Ministry of National Defense with the local communities, held meetings with members of the Local and Regional Self-Government, the Religious Authorities and the Commanders of the local Services of the Security Forces. In particular, he met with the Prefect of Ikaria, Mr. Panagioti Genouzo, the Mayors of Ikaria Mr. Nikolaos KalaboyaFurnon etc. Dimitrios KarydisLipson etc. Photio MangoLerou Mr. Michael KoliaNisyrou Mr. Christofi Koroneos and Tilos Mr. Maria Kamma-Aliferithe Most Reverend Metropolitan of Leros, Kalymnos & Astypalaia, Exalted and Exarch of the Sporades Islands etc. Paisiothe Regional Councilor PE of South Aegean Mr. Ioannis Themelaros and the Deputy Mayor of Patmos Mr. Nikolaos Koutouzo.

The Deputy Minister of National Defense was accompanied during the visits by the Commander of the Supreme Military Command of the Interior and Islands Lt. Gen. Dimitrios Houpis. Also present were the Commanders of the 95 National Guard Battalions Senior Command Major General Dimitrios Vakentisof the 79 National Guard Battalions’ Higher Command Brigadier General Nikolaos Lampidonis and of the 80 Higher Command of National Guard Battalions Brigadier General Spyridon Kogiannis.