On Thursday 12 November 2026, in the presence of the Minister of National Defence, Mr. Dendias, and the Chief HAGS, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the final phase of Field Exercise “MINOAS – 2026” was conducted in the region of ARKADI, Rethymnon, with the participation of troops and assets of the 5th Airmobile Brigade “V CRETANS DIVISION”, the 44th Military Command “TALOS”, the 1st Army Aviation Brigade “KILKIS LAHANAS”, and two Aircraft of the Hellenic Air Force.

The aim of the exercise was to train the personnel, reservists, and national guards in realistic tactical scenarios, through the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), increase operational readiness and combat capability, as well as promote interoperability and joint operational perception under modern warfare conditions.

Field Exercise “MINOAS -2026” was a small scale, simple action, airmobile company force deployment exercise (LIVEX/CFX) and included the conduct of hostile airhead destruction, as well as the facing of asymmetric threats against vital national infrastructure.

The final phase of the exercise was attended by:
• His Eminence the Archbishop of Crete, Evgenios.
• MP for Rethymnon, Mr. Giannis Kefalogiannis.
• The Mayor of Rethymnon, Mr. Giorgis Marinakis.
• The Metropolitan of Lambi, Syvritos, and Sfakia, Mr. Ioakim.
• The Commanding General of the Supreme Military Command of the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, Lieutenant General Dimitrios Vakentis.
• The Deputy Head of Region for the Regional Unit of Rethymnon, Ms. Maria Lioni.
• Active duty officers of the Armed and Security Forces.

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