On Monday 24 May 2021, in the context of the updated Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement (MDCA) between Greece and the U.S.A. and the grid of international cooperations with friendly and allied countries, which have been planned by the HNDGS, the Distinguished Visitors Day (DVDAY) of the Brigade-level Field Training Exercise “KENTAVROS 21” (IMMEDIATE RESPONSE/CENTAUR 21) was held at Petrohori, Xanthi, with the participation of troops from the XXV Armor Brigade “2nd CAVALRY REGIMENT-EFESSOS”, the 71st Airborne Brigade “PONTOS”, the 1st Aviation Brigade “KILKIS LAHANA”, the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) of the National Guard of the U.S. Florida and Alabama States and the 104th Logistics Brigade of U.K. Army (Alexandroupoli Port Area).

The exercise was executed with live fire and included co-training on operations issues, as well as special matters (security missions and airborne operations), examining at the same time Logistics issues.

The Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Alkiviadis Stefanis, the Deputy Chief/HNDGS Vice Admiral Ioannis Drymousis, representing the Chief/HNDGS, and the Chief/HAGS Lieutenant General Charalambos Lalousis ,the Commander of 1st Army/EU-OHQ “ACHILLEAS” Lieutenant General Petros Demestichas, the Army Inspector General-Doctrine and Training Commander Lieutenant General Angelos Ilaridis and the Commander of D Army Corps “THRACE” Lieutenant General Angelos Choudeloudis attended the final phase of the exercise.

On the U.S. side, the U.S. Ambassador in Greece Mr. Geoffrey R. Pyatt, the U.S. Consul General in Thessaloniki Mrs. Elizabeth K. Lee and the Commander of the U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) General Christopher G. Cavoli attended the final phase of the exercise, while on the British side the exercise was attended by the Commander of the British Field Army General Ralph Wooddisse.

The Chief, during his address, pointed out the high level of operational cooperation of the Armed Forces of all the three countries and congratulated the trainees for the achievement of the exercise objectives.

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