On Monday, May 11, 2026, the Distinguished Visitors Day (DV Day) of the Multinational Medium-Scale Air Exercise “NATO Tiger Meet 2026” was held at the 116th Combat Wing (116FW) at Araxos Air Base and a welcome address was delivered by the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General Dimosthenis Grigoriadis:
“Honorable Members of the Parliament
Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff
Your Eminence Metropolitan of Patras
Deputy Governor, Representative of the Region of Western Greece Governor
Deputy Mayor, Representative of the Western Achaia Mayor
Your Excellencies Ambassadors and Representatives of Foreign Embassies
Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff
Air Chiefs, Commanders & Representatives of NATO Allied Air Forces
-Lieutenant General Geert De Decker Belgian Air Force Air Component Commander
-Lieutenant General Thorsten Poschwatta, German Component Command Commander, Representative of the German Air Force Chief
-Major General Christian Oppliger, Swiss Air Force Commander
-Major General Marco Lant, Commander of the Italian Combat Forces, Representative of the Italian Air Force Chief of Staff
-Brigadier General Petr Silva, 22nd Helicopter Base Commander, Representative of the Czech Air Force Commander
-Brigadier General Nobert Chojnacki 2nd Tactical Air Wing Commander, Representative of the Polish Armed Forces, Air Force Inspector
Generals
Deputy Regional Governor of the Region of Western Greece
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
‘’Like the tiger, our Airmen stand –
swift in action, precise in purpose.
Not by instinct alone,
but by discipline, training, and shared values.
In the skies above, there is no room for hesitation –
only trust and coordination.
And like the tiger – fierce, vigilant, unyielding –
we prevail, because we stand together’’.
In modern warfare, where skies serve as both battlegrounds and corridors of deterrence, the mastery of air power stands paramount. It is the backbone upon which nations’ and alliances’ defence and deterrence capabilities rest. Today, here in Araxos Air Force Base, home of the 335 Squadron, the renowned Aegean Tigers and the oldest Squadron of the Hellenic Air Force, established in October 1941, we stand together as friends, partners, and Allies, united by a shared commitment to security, stability, and peace. It is with great pride and distinct honor that I welcome you all to the Distinguished Visitors’ Day of Exercise NATO Tiger Meet 2026.
Over the past years, Greece has consistently demonstrated its ability to deliver complex and demanding training environments. Through Exercise INIOCHOS, we have developed a world-class framework for high-end air warfare training, integrating multiple domains and participants from across the globe. This expertise was further validated with the successful hosting of NATO Tiger Meet ιn 2022 and NATO’s first Flag-level exercise, Ramstein Flag in 2024, which marked a milestone in Allied air training and showcased Greece’s capability to operate at the highest level of multinational cooperation. Hosting the NATO Tiger Meet 2026 for the second time here in Greece, in a single base concept is both a privilege and a responsibility for the Hellenic Air Force.
Our era, defined by geopolitical volatility and evolving security threats, underscores the unparalleled importance of air power within NATO forces. As conflicts around the globe continue to unfold, the imperative to shape superiority and ensure security in the skies remains the only route to a stable and prosperous future for our nations. Greece, as a strategic nexus within NATO, is nestled at the southeastern flank of Europe, at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, a region of strategic importance and increasing complexity. Furthermore the nature of warfare is rapidly evolving. We are witnessing the increasing use of low-cost, highly effective unmanned combat aerial vehicles, which are reshaping the battlespace and challenging traditional concepts of air superiority. These systems, combined with hybrid threats and multi-domain operations, demand new approaches, rapid adaptation, and constant vigilance. In such a dynamic environment, no nation can stand alone.
In this environment, our country plays a pivotal role as a pillar of stability and a provider of security. Through our recent actions which include the deployment of our forces in Cyprus, Karpathos Island and Evros we contribute actively to peace, not only in our region, but across the Alliance. Whether patrolling the skies of the Aegean, the Southeastern Mediterranean Sea, the Balkan NATO states, or participating in multinational exercises alongside NATO Allies, the HAF’s operational prowess remains unprecedented.
Exercises like the NATO Tiger Meet provide the ideal framework to train as a team, to enhance interoperability, and to ensure that we can respond collectively, decisively, and effectively to any emerging threat. Together, we build not only capability, but also trust – the most critical element in any successful operation. This year, we are honored to host air assets and personnel from 15 allied nations, working together under an intensive and realistic battle rhythm, sharpening our dexterities, fusing our capabilities and exploiting as well the state-of-the-art weapons systems across the full spectrum of modern air warfare but most of all tightening our ties.
On behalf of the Hellenic Air Force, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all participating nations, aircrews, and support personnel. Your presence here reinforces the bonds that unite us and
strengthens our collective resolve.
I would also like to extend my appreciation to the Hellenic Army, the Hellenic Navy, and the Special Warfare Command for their invaluable contribution to the realism and success of this exercise.
Special recognition is due to the personnel of Araxos Air Force Base and especially the Aegean Tigers of 335 Squadron, whose professionalism and dedication have made this event possible.
Distinguished guests, now, more than ever, our collective strength lies not only in the advanced technologies and cutting-edge capabilities we possess, but also in the determined spirit of cooperation and solidarity that defines us as Allies. May the lessons learned here enhance our interoperability and reinforce our partnerships for years to come. May our skies remain safe, and our bonds endure
Tigers, it’s hard to be Humble but remember….
‘’In every age, strength has taken many forms.
Today, it flies in formation – disciplined, interconnected, and united.
Like the tiger, we are vigilant. But unlike the tiger, we do not stand
alone’’.
Fight’s ON!!!”
“NATO Tiger Meet 2026” Exercise
From Monday, May 4 to Thursday, May 14, 2026, the multinational medium-scale air exercise “NATO Tiger Meet 2026” is being conducted at the 116th Combat Wing at Araxos Air Base.
The aim of the exercise is to provide high-quality operational training under the motto “Train as you Fight,” enhancing participants’ skills and cooperation in conducting complex operations.
More than 50 fighter aircraft and helicopters will participate daily in complex operational missions, covering a wide range of modern air warfare tasks, such as defensive / offensive counter-air operations, air interdiction missions, dynamic targeting, TST targeting, suppression – destruction of enemy air defenses, APCLO, APCMO, as well as electronic warfare and jamming missions.
The exercise will take place across the entire Athens FIR, with the participation of a large number of air assets from Greece, as well as from Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Poland, Hungary, and Czech Republic. Additionally, Austria, France, United Kingdom, India, and Netherlands will participate as observers, along with forces from the Hellenic Navy and the Special Warfare Command.
