Τη Δευτέρα 11 Μαΐου 2026, πραγματοποιήθηκε, στην 116 Πτέρυγα Μάχης (116ΠΜ) στην Αεροπορική Βάση Αράξου, η Ημέρα Διακεκριμένων Επισκεπτών (Distinguished Visitors Day – DV Day) της Πολυεθνικής Αεροπορικής Άσκησης Μεσαίας Κλίμακας «NATO Tiger Meet 2026».
Χαιρετισμό απηύθυναν ο Αρχηγός του Γενικού Επιτελείου Εθνικής Άμυνας, Στρατηγός Δημήτριος Χούπης και ο Αρχηγός του Γενικού Επιτελείου Αεροπορίας (ΓΕΑ), Αντιπτέραρχος (Ι) Δημοσθένης Γρηγοριάδης.
Κατά τη διάρκεια της DV Day, οι προσκεκλημένοι ενημερώθηκαν από τον Διοικητή της 116 Πτέρυγας Μάχης, Σμήναρχο (Ι) Κωνσταντίνο Σίτο, σχετικά με τη διεξαγωγή της Άσκησης. Στη συνέχεια, επισκέφθηκαν και περιηγήθηκαν στους χώρους όπου εξελίσσονται οι επιχειρησιακές και εκπαιδευτικές δραστηριότητες της Άσκησης.
Την Ημέρα Διακεκριμένων Επισκεπτών παρακολούθησαν Βουλευτές των Κομμάτων της Βουλής, οι Πρέσβεις στην Ελλάδα του Βελγίου και της Ελβετίας, καθώς και εκπρόσωποι των Πρέσβεων της Ινδίας, της Ισπανίας και της Πορτογαλίας, ο Διοικητής της Ανώτατης Στρατιωτικής Διοίκησης Υποστήριξης Στρατού, Αντιστράτηγος Αθανάσιος Σαπλαούρας, ως εκπρόσωπος του Αρχηγού του Γενικού Επιτελείου Στρατού, ο Αρχηγός του Γενικού Επιτελείου Ναυτικού, Αντιναύαρχος Δημήτριος-Ελευθέριος Κατάρας ΠΝ, ο Αρχηγός της Πολεμικής Αεροπορίας του Βελγίου, Major General Geert De Decker και ο Αρχηγός της Πολεμικής Αεροπορίας της Ελβετίας, Major General Christian Oppliger, εκπρόσωποι των Αρχηγών των Πολεμικών Αεροποριών της Γερμανίας, της Ιταλίας, της Πολωνίας και της Τσεχίας, ο Γενικός Γραμματέας Αποκεντρωμένης Διοίκησης Πελοποννήσου, Δυτικής Ελλάδας και Ιονίου, κ. Δημήτριος Κατσαρός, Ανώτατοι Αξιωματικοί των Ενόπλων Δυνάμεων και των Σωμάτων Ασφαλείας, οι Ακόλουθοι Άμυνας στην Αθήνα της Γερμανίας, της Ελβετίας, του Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου, καθώς και εκπρόσωποι των Ακολούθων Άμυνας των ΗΠΑ και της Γαλλίας, εκπρόσωποι του NATO Tiger Association, τοπικές αυτοδιοικητικές και θρησκευτικές Αρχές.
Χαιρετισμός Αρχηγού ΓΕΑ, Αντιπτέραρχου (Ι) Δημοσθένη
Γρηγοριάδη, στη DV Day της Άσκησης NATO Tiger Meet 2026
Honorable Members of the Parliament
Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff
Your Eminence Metropolitan of Patras
Deputy Governor, Representative of the Region of Western Greece
Governor
Deputy Mayor, Representative of the Western Achaia Mayor
Your Excellencies Ambassadors and Representatives of Foreign
Embassies
Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff
Air Chiefs, Commanders & Representatives of NATO Allied Air Forces
Lieutenant General Geert De Decker Belgian Air Force Air
Component Commander
Lieutenant General Thorsten Poschwatta, German Component
Command Commander, Representative of the German Air Force
Chief
Major General Christian Oppliger, Swiss Air Force Commander
Major General Marco Lant, Commander of the Italian Combat
Forces, Representative of the Italian Air Force Chief of Staff
Brigadier General Petr Silva, 22nd Helicopter Base Commander,
Representative of the Czech Air Force Commander
Brigadier General Nobert Chojnacki 2nd Tactical Air Wing
Commander, Representative of the Polish Armed Forces, Air Force
Inspector
Generals
Deputy Regional Governor of the Region of Western Greece
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
‘’Like the tiger, our Airmen stand –
swift in action, precise in purpose.
Not by instinct alone,
but by discipline, training, and shared values.
In the skies above, there is no room for hesitation –
only trust and coordination.
And like the tiger – fierce, vigilant, unyielding –
we prevail, because we stand together’’.
In modern warfare, where skies serve as both battlegrounds and
corridors of deterrence, the mastery of air power stands paramount. It is the
backbone upon which nations’ and alliances’ defence and deterrence
capabilities rest. Today, here in Araxos Air Force Base, home of the 335
Squadron, the renowned Aegean Tigers and the oldest Squadron of the
Hellenic Air Force, established in October 1941, we stand together as
friends, partners, and Allies, united by a shared commitment to security,
stability, and peace. It is with great pride and distinct honor that I welcome
you all to the Distinguished Visitors’ Day of Exercise NATO Tiger Meet
2026.
Over the past years, Greece has consistently demonstrated its ability
to deliver complex and demanding training environments. Through
Exercise INIOCHOS, we have developed a world-class framework for
high-end air warfare training, integrating multiple domains and participants
from across the globe. This expertise was further validated with the
successful
hosting of NATO Tiger Meet ιn 2022 and NATO’s first Flaglevel exercise,
Ramstein Flag in 2024, which marked a milestone in Allied
air training and showcased Greece’s capability to operate at the highest
level of multinational cooperation. Hosting the NATO Tiger Meet 2026 for
the second time here in Greece, in a single base concept is both a privilege
and a responsibility for the Hellenic Air Force.
Our era, defined by geopolitical volatility and evolving security
threats, underscores the unparalleled importance of air power within
NATO forces. As conflicts around the globe continue to unfold, the
imperative to shape superiority and ensure security in the skies remains the
only route to a stable and prosperous future for our nations. Greece, as a
strategic nexus within NATO, is nestled at the southeastern flank of
Europe, at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, a region of strategic
importance and increasing complexity. Furthermore the nature of warfare
is rapidly evolving. We are witnessing the increasing use of low-cost,
highly effective unmanned combat aerial vehicles, which are reshaping the
battlespace and challenging traditional concepts of air superiority. These
systems, combined with hybrid threats and multi-domain operations,
demand new approaches, rapid adaptation, and constant vigilance. In such
a dynamic environment, no nation can stand alone.
In this environment, our country plays a pivotal role as a pillar of
stability and a provider of security. Through our recent actions which
include the deployment of our forces in Cyprus, Karpathos Island and
Evros we contribute actively to peace, not only in our region, but across
the Alliance. Whether patrolling the skies of the Aegean, the Southeastern
Mediterranean Sea, the Balkan NATO states, or participating in
multinational exercises alongside NATO Allies, the HAF’s operational
prowess remains unprecedented.
Exercises like the NATO Tiger Meet provide the ideal framework to
train as a team, to enhance interoperability, and to ensure that we can
respond collectively, decisively, and effectively to any emerging threat.
Together, we build not only capability, but also trust – the most critical
element in any successful operation. This year, we are honored to host air
assets and personnel from 15 allied nations, working together under an
intensive and realistic battle rhythm, sharpening our dexterities, fusing our
capabilities and exploiting as well the state-of-the-art weapons systems
across the full spectrum of modern air warfare but most of all tightening
our ties.
On behalf of the Hellenic Air Force, I would like to express my
sincere gratitude to all participating nations, aircrews, and support
personnel. Your presence here reinforces the bonds that unite us and
strengthens our collective resolve.
I would also like to extend my appreciation to the Hellenic Army,
the Hellenic Navy, and the Special Warfare Command for their invaluable
contribution to the realism and success of this exercise.
Special recognition is due to the personnel of Araxos Air Force Base
and especially the Aegean Tigers of 335 Squadron, whose professionalism
and dedication have made this event possible.
Distinguished guests, now, more than ever, our collective strength
lies not only in the advanced technologies and cutting-edge capabilities we
possess, but also in the determined spirit of cooperation and solidarity that
defines us as Allies. May the lessons learned here enhance our
interoperability and reinforce our partnerships for years to come. May our
skies remain safe, and our bonds endure.
Tigers, it’s hard to be Humble but remember….
‘’In every age, strength has taken many forms.
Today, it flies in formation – disciplined, interconnected, and united.
Like the tiger, we are vigilant. But unlike the tiger, we do not stand
alone’’.
Fight’s ON!!!
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