Filenews 10 October 2024
With the participation, for the first time since 2019, of a pair of F-16 fighter jets of the Hellenic Air Force, the exercise "IRIS – 2024" the final phase of the Joint Tactical Exercise After Troops (TAMS) "IRIS – 2024", took place at the Kalo Chorio Firing Range.
The Greek fighters participated in a mission to bombard ground targets, performing mock strikes within the Firing Range.
In his address, the Chief of the National Guard General Staff, Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsicostas, assured that the National Guard, while remaining committed to its mission, with readiness to deal with the enemy occupying the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, at the same time strengthens regional defence cooperation, contributing to the maintenance of peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond.
The exercise, he said, "is the culmination of a series of exercises and activities that began on October 8 and are being completed today, and through which a number of scenarios were examined, paying particular attention to the night race, successfully testing part of our capabilities. The high level of training of our personnel was proven in practice, with the precision of actions, as well as the volume, discipline and accuracy of fire, confirming their absolute ability to respond to the demands of the modern battlefield."
He added that "the successful conduct of the exercise demonstrated the ability to respond to any challenge, with the personnel and means we now have, and which, with the tireless efforts and support of the political leadership, are maintained at high rates of availability."
The staffing continued "with new manpower and its continuous training, the supply of new weapon systems, as well as the continuous upgrading of partnerships and co-trainings with personnel of the Armed Forces of other States, prescribe a promising future, maintaining the National Guard as a strong deterrent force and a powerful tool for the implementation of the political-military aspirations of the Republic of Cyprus. making it a reliable factor of security and stability in the near and wider region".
As the Chief of the National Guard said, "today's final phase confirmed in the best way the current operational readiness of the National Guard day and night, with the effective utilization of the human and material resources entrusted to us by the State and provided guarantees for the continuous future upgrading of our capabilities in accordance with the directions of the political leadership."
Addressing the Defence Attachés and representatives of friendly countries who attended the exercise, the Lieutenant General noted that "our effort is to upgrade the operational skills of the personnel, the procedures, as well as the combat capability and readiness of the National Guard, in order to achieve ease in our interoperability with friends and allies."
Security threats and challenges in our sensitive region are constantly increasing, he said, adding that "there is no doubt that only in cooperation with friendly countries and partners do we become stronger and our strength comes from unity and collective action."
This strength, he said, "allows us to face current challenges with confidence and to be ready and better prepared for the unpredictable and uncertain future. I would like to assure you that the National Guard, while remaining committed to its mission, with readiness to confront the enemy occupying territory of the Republic of Cyprus, at the same time strengthens regional defence cooperation, contributing to the maintenance of peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond."
In his address, the Chief of the National Guard congratulated and thanked all those who participated in the exercise, while he gave special congratulations "to the Samos DMS Team, which arrived from Greece and practiced under realistic conditions with the National Guardsmen of the 1st M/C Infantry Brigade. The congratulations have a double significance as, in parallel with the exercise, part of our staff participates in assisting the reception and departure of citizens at ports and airports, at the JRCC and at the temporary accommodation facilities of the National Guard," he noted.
At the same time, he said, "another important part is strengthening the Police in the security of vital facilities of the Republic of Cyprus, while readiness to provide facilities to friendly countries in the context of measures taken due to the worsening of conflicts in the Middle East region is in progress."
Moreover, an announcement by the National Guard General Staff states that "from 8 to 10 October, the Joint Tactical Exercise With Troops "IRIS – 2024" took place, with the participation of all personnel and means of the active force of the National Guard. The objective of TAMS "IRIS – 2024" was the development of part of the operational capabilities of the Formations, Commands and Tactical Groups and the implementation of scenarios that simulate real conditions".
It is added that "in particular, subjects related to the execution of combined and joint operations were examined, to address both conventional and asymmetric threats."
The exercise was completed on Thursday "with the conduct of the final phase at the Kalo Chorio Exercise Field, which included examination of scenarios of defensive and offensive operations. The planning and execution of the final phase was carried out by the XX Armoured Infantry Brigade, with the participation and support of personnel and means of other Formations and Commands of the National Guard".
It is noted that "the final phase was preceded by smaller scale exercises in other Exercise Fields than the other Formations and Commands, during which similar scenarios were examined, while in part of them participated a Group of National Guards of the Hellenic Armed Forces".
At the same time, "in the field of air operations, the air defense system was developed by the Air Force Command, while, in the maritime space, the Navy Command implemented scenarios for dealing with asymmetric threats from warships, maritime interdiction operations from the Coastal Batteries and special operations from the Underwater Destruction Unit. Scenarios for executing special operations of penetration from the air and dropping of paratroopers by Commando Command Departments were also examined."
As mentioned in the announcement, "during the execution of the final phase, in addition to the National Guard Units, a pair of F-16 fighter jets of the Hellenic Air Force participated in a mission to bombard ground targets, performing mock attacks within the Firing Range."
The final phase of the exercise was attended by, among others, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of the National Guard, members of the House Standing Committee on Defence, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, the Hierarchy of the National Guard and delegations of executives, representatives of state bodies, services and local authorities, retired officers, delegations of reservists and national guardsmen as well as Defence Attachés, observers and other representatives of friendly countries.
