Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias Attenda Distinguished Visitors’ Day of Exercise “Ramstein Flag 2024”

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Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias Attenda Distinguished Visitors' Day of Exercise "Ramstein Flag 2024"

October 11, 2024

On Friday, 11 October 2024, the Minister of National DefenceMr.Nikos Dendias, went to Adravida Air Base, where he attended Distinguished Visitors' Dayof Exercise "Ramstein Flag 2024".

The Minister of National Defence, accompanied by the Chief HNDGS, General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief HAGS, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief HNGS, Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras HN, and the Chief HAFGS, Lieutenant General (HAF) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, attended allied aircraft flights, was given a tour of the premises of the Exercise, and was briefed on its scenarios.

Distinguished Visitors' Day was also attended by the Commander, Allied Air Command, General James B. Hecker, and the Chiefs of the Air Forces of Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, and Finland.

The Ambassadors of Belgium Marc Calcoen, France Laurence Auer, Hungary Zsolt Sándor, of Portugal Rui Macieira, the charge d'affaires of the U.S. Embassy, representing the U.S. Ambassador Maria Olson, and the charge d'affaires of the Romanian Embassy Mioara-Florina Pitut, as well as Defence Attachés of allied foreign countries, also attended.

Mr. Dendias stated in his address to the participants of the Exercise:

"Excellencies, distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is both an honour and a privilege to address you today during the multinational exercise RAMSTEIN FLAG 2024".

This event is a very clear demonstration of our commitment to strengthening collective defence and enhancing interoperability, and also advancing our capabilities in Integrated Air and Missile Defence.

It was a great honour for Greece and the leadership of the Hellenic Air Force to host the multinational exercise "RAMSTEIN FLAG 24". An Allied Exercise conducted for the first time, with 89 fighters, 12 support aircraft from 13 countries.

They operate in the context of NATO, based in Adravida airfield.

This exercise is not a simple operational training. It is a test of interoperability among the Allied Air Forces in order to face modern threats in the field of air defence and security. Collectively, all together, as the principles of the North Atlantic Alliance dictate.

The integration of innovative tactics in Air Defence is imperative in the geopolitical conjuncture. The presence of the North Atlantic Alliance, of NATO, in the developing international conflicts is more imperative than ever.

The selection of Greece by the Alliance as the organising country points out the geostrategic value of our Country. It confirms our strategic role in the collective defence.

With our new air platforms (F-16 Viper, Rafale) and the upcoming acquisition of F-35 - I am glad to see F-35 here in Adravida, where in a short time the F-35 will be here with the Greek colours. Besides that, with the creation of the Anti-Air and Anti-Drone Dome that I have announced before, Greece acquires other capabilities to protect the National Interests, the Allied Interests, the European Interests, the National, European, Allied Horizon.

In order to be able to support NATO operations, in accordance with International Law and the United Nations Charter, projecting our Country as the reliable and trustworthy Ally, the pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond that.

Confirming once more the commitment of the Hellenic Armed Forces to ensure the security in the wider region.

It is not necessary to remind you that NATO is the most successful military Alliance in the history of this planet.

But I always point out that it is an Alliance of values, devoted to the defence of not only the countries that belong to the Alliance, but International Law as well. NATO must not only defend a specific geographical area, but it must be a model of Freedom, Democracy, International Law, to comply with the principles of the United Nations Charter, to defend Human Rights. What we describe in English as "rules-based international order".

I warmly congratulate from the bottom of my heart the participants, especially the Hellenic Air Force, which coordinated flawlessly this very big exercise and I would also like to thank from the bottom of my heart our allies and friends for their presence here and their continuous cooperation in our common commitment.

This exercise serves as a very powerful reminder of the strength of our Alliance and the readiness of our forces. Greece's enhanced capabilities, through advanced platforms will ensure that my country remains steadfast in our commitment to our collective defence, to defend our countries but most importantly, to defend our ideas as we face the very complex challenges of the 21^stcentury from the powers of the past.

Thank you so much all who participated in "RAMSTEIN FLAG 24" and contributed to its great success".