The strategic importance of Crete for the nation’s defence was emphasised by the minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias during a visit to the Air Force’s 115th Combat Wing at Souda air base last Friday, 23rd February. The minister was able to take a 45-minute flight over the Aegean in one of the F-16 fighter jets of the Combat Wing’s 340 Squadron, piloted by Wing Commander Iosif Daskalomarkakis. He was accompanied by three similar aircraft, additionally carrying the Chief of Defence General Staff General Dimitrios Houpis and the Chief of Air Force General Staff Lieutenant General Dimosthenis Grigoriadis.