On Monday, May 24, 2021, in the framework of the updated Greece-USA Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement (MDCA) and the international collaborations with friendly and allied countries planned by the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA), the Distinguished Visitors Day (DV DAY) of the Tactical Exercise at a Brigade level “CENTAUR 21” (IMMEDIATE RESPONSE / CENTAUR 21) was held in Petrochori, Xanthi. In the exercise participated units of the XXV Armoured Brigade “2nd Cavalry Regiment-Efesos”, the 71st Airmobile Brigade “Pontus”, the 1st Army Aviation Brigade “Kilkis-Lachanas”, the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) of the US National Guard and the 104 Logistics Support Brigade of the British Army (Alexandroupolis Port Area).

The exercise was carried out with live fire and included joint training in matters of conducting operations and specialized matters (security and airmobile operations), along with joint consideration of Logistics issues.

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The final phase of the exercise was attended by the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Alkiviadis Stefanis, the Deputy Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Rear Admiral Ioannis Drymousos, as a representative of Chief of GEETHA, the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff, Lieutenant General Charalambos Lalousis, the Commander of the 1st Army/EU-OHQ “ACHILLEAS”, Lieutenant General Petros Demestihas, the Army Inspector General – Doctrine and Training Commander, Lieutenant General Angelos Ilaridis, and the Commander of the 4th Army Corps “Thrace”, Lieutenant General Angelos Choudeloudis.

On the part of the US, the final phase of the exercise was attended by the US Ambassador to Greece, Mr. Geoffrey R. Pyatt, the US Consul General in Thessaloniki, Mr. Elizabeth K. Lee and the Commander of the US-Europe-Africa Command (USAREUR-AF), General Christopher G. Cavoli, while on behalf of Britain, the exercise was attended by the Commander of the British Army, General Ralph Wooddisse.

In his speech, the Chief pointed out the high level of operational cooperation of the Armed Forces of the three countries and congratulated the trainee personnel on achieving the objectives of the exercise.

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