The military parade at Syntagma concluded shortly after 12:30. The parade commenced at 11:15 in the presence of the state, political, judicial, religious, and military leadership.

Earlier, at 06:20, 21 salute shots were fired from the Lycabettus artillery, and the traditional “Eothinos” was performed by musical units of the Armed Forces and Security Forces along the main streets of Athens.

At 08:00, the Greek flag was ceremonially raised on the Holy Rock of the Acropolis. At 10:00, a doxology took place at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Athens, presided over by His Beatitude Archbishop Hieronymos II of Athens and All Greece. At 10:01, another 21 salute shots were fired from the Lycabettus artillery.

This was followed at 11:05 by the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Tassoulas.   

Today’s military parade featured a range of weapons systems from the Armed Forces, including Leopard 2 tanks, multiple MLRS rocket launchers, M-109 & PzH 2000 self-propelled guns, and various aircraft such as F-16, Rafale, Mirage 2000, F-4E Phantom fighter jets. Helicopters participating in the event included Chinook, Apache, NH-90, Aegean Hawk, and Super Cougar.

Additionally, the renowned T-6 Harvard aircraft of the Hellenic Air Force, which trained generations of Greek pilots from World War II until the 1960s, took part in the parade, alongside the legendary Spitfire.

The parade commenced with the war invalids, followed by the three Volunteer Corps of the Hellenic Red Cross (Health, Social Welfare and Samaritan Rescuers – Lifeguards).

Subsequently, a phalanx of motorised vehicles from the Hellenic Army paraded, featuring  M113 armoured personnel carriers, Hummer vehicles equipped with A-T Milan and Kornet-E anti-tank systems, Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles, minesweeper units, rescue teams, battle artillery squadron, and artillery units carrying Stinger, Asrad, and Hawk guided missiles.

They were followed by motorised police officers, wheeled police vehicles, nursing and ambulance units, a mobile ministry, and collection vehicles. The Hellenic Police participated with motorcycle units from the “Z” and “Zus” teams, along with patrol cars. The Coast Guard – Hellenic Coast Guard joined with motorcycles and vehicles, while the Fire Brigade also participated with motorcycles, vehicles, and forest department units.

The parade also included the Presidential Guard, a paratrooper unit, a marine unit, a National Guard unit, and infantry contingents from military academies. Additionally, a motorised convoy of Transport Corps vehicles, a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) defence platoon from the Special Interdisciplinary Company, and medical service vehicles took part.

Finally, numerous fighter aircraft squadrons and formations participated, including C-130, C-27J, and Canadair CL-215 aircraft, as well as formations of Kiowa Warrior and UH-1H attack helicopters. Helicopters from the Hellenic Police, Fire Brigade, and Coast Guard – Hellenic Coast Guard were also present.

At 18:41, the official lowering of the flag on the Holy Rock of the Acropolis is scheduled to take place, accompanied by 21 salute shots fired from the Lycabettus artillery.

Source / Photos from: AMNA

Also read: September 21, 1956 | Hanging of EOKA Heroes Stelios Mavrommatis, Michael Koutsoftas and Andreas Panagidis