A joint tactical drill, code-named “PROTEAS – 1/23”, which involved the design and implementation of special operations, was co-organised from February 20 to March 17 by the National Guard Naval Command and the United States Armed Forces. According to a press release by the General Staff of the National Guard, the exercise was carried out in training and shooting ranges both on land and in the maritime area of ??the Republic of Cyprus and it was attended by personnel and members of the Underwater Demolition Unit of the Naval Command and corresponding Departments of the US Navy. It is also noted that from February 27 to March 10, Special Operations Teams of the Greek Armed Forces also participated in the joint training. Part of the joint drill was attended by the Chief of the National Guard, Lt. Gen. Dimokritos Zervakis, the US Ambassador to Cyprus, Julie Fisher, and the Greek Ambassador to Cyprus, Ioannis Papameletiou. The Chief of the National Guard congratulated the Special Operations Teams, as well as the crews of the high-speed boats for their efforts, pointing out the importance of the cooperation of the three countries in the field of defence and security in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region. During the visit, the Chief of the National Guard and the US Ambassador highlighted the great importance of conducting joint trainings, both for increasing the level of understanding and interoperability between the Armed Forces of the two countries, as well as for security and stability in the region in general. At the same time, the Chief of the National Guard, in a post on his personal Twitter account, spoke of “collaboration for security and stability in the region” and congratulated all participants.
Source: Cyprus News Agency