On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, and in accordance with the planning of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS) regarding the international cooperation of the Hellenic Armed Forces, an operational joint training took place in Skyros, with the participation of Greece, Germany, the USA, and the Netherlands.

The Joint Training, which was attended by the Commander of the newly-established Special Warfare Command of the HNDGS, Lieutenant General Dimitrios Houpis, was conducted in the context of the 2nd Phase of the Multinational Special Operations Exercise “SWIFT RESPONSE 23” (SR23), and included joint operation with the aim of recapturing the Skyros airport.

According to a relevant announcement, in the Joint Training, the Hellenic Armed Forces participated with personnel and means, as below:

• 2 F-16 Block 50 Fighter Aircraft;
• 2 Special Operations Craft MARK V (SAP-TM/Mk-V);
• 1 Special Operations Unit of the Special Paratrooper Unit and 1 Special Operations Unit of the Naval Special Operations Division of the Special Warfare Command;
• 1 Unconventional Warfare Unit of the Underwater Demolition Command;
• Personnel of the 32nd Marine Brigade as an opposing force (OPFOR).

The allied countries participated as follows:

• Germany with 2 A-400 attack helicopters;
• The US with 1 MQ-9 REAPER UAV as well as 2 HH-60 BLACKHAWK Helicopters in a MEDEVAC (Medical Evacuation) role;
• The Netherlands with 90 Paratroopers and Pathfinders of the Division Schnelle Kraefte (DSK).

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