Visiting the 355 Emergency Transport Squadron, which flies the Canadair water bombers, at its base in Elefsina near Athens last Thursday, the Defence minister Nikos Dendias expressed his gratitude for everything which the aircrews are doing for the country. He observed that the crews’ missions are exceptionally difficult and require courage and self-sacrifice – a fact demonstrated by the recent deaths of Flight Lieutenant Christos Moulas and Second Lieutenant Periklis Stefanidis.

He added that there have been not a few fatalities from aerial fire fighting missions, with the loss of 19 airmen since 1977. “Those we honour and do not forget,” he said. He also said that a Joint Ministerial Decision to increase the mission allowance for aerial firefighting crews would be passed immediately, noting that the Prime Minister’s proposal had been announced to the Cabinet only a few hours before the accident in Karystos.

Mr Dendias’s speech in detail
“Dear Director, Wing Commanders and Officers,
It is a great honour for me to stand before you today, in the Squadron which is the chief base of our country’s aerial firefighting. We all recognise that the crews of the firefighting aircraft have an exceptionally difficult mission. It requires professionalism, it requires courage and self-sacrifice. This was brought home only a few days ago in the worst possible way by the deaths of Flight Lieutenant Christos Moulas and Second Lieutenant Periklis Stefanidis while on duty in Evia.

“So I want to express once more, on behalf of all Greeks, our condolences firstly to their families – their biological families – but also to you, their extended family. As you know well, there have been not a few deaths from aerial firefighting missions. Since 1977, we have mourned a total of 19 airmen, whom we honour and do not forget….

“The effort to protect the property and the lives of our fellow citizens, but also our homeland’s natural environment, is continual and is becoming ever more difficult because of climate change. The State, society, the ministry of National Defence are at your side. We support you.

“As the Prime Minister mentioned during his recent visit, the implementation of the programmes for the supply of the new CL-515 firefighting aircraft and the upgrading of the existing CL-415s, will be completed as quickly as possible. Also, following the initiative of the Prime Minister, which had been announced to the Council of Ministers three hours before the accident at Karystos, I will immediately sign a Joint Ministerial Decision with the Finance minister to increase the mission allowance for the aerial firefighting crews.

“I would like to express to you the gratitude and the congratulations of the Greek people, of Greek society, of the ministry and the government, for what you are doing for our homeland – all the flight and technical personnel who are on constant alert. You work 24 hours a day to ensure that the firefighting aircraft can operate, and can contribute effectively to the difficult task of firefighting…. I thank you again warmly for the opportunity to shake you by the hand.”
(ERT News, 01/08/23)