Greece assumes command of permanent NATO naval force - New chiefs appointed to police & fire service
Italian Captain Ettore Ronco transferred the responsibilities to Captain Paraskevas aboard the General Support Ship HERACLES on Friday. The event was attended by NATO Rear Admiral Stefan D. Pauly.
Greece’s involvement in SNMCMG2, one of NATO’s 2 permanently activated naval forces for mine countermeasure operations, enhances its role in ensuring maritime safety, particularly in the Mediterranean region.
SNMCMG2 provides NATO with immediate operational response capability, specifically as part of the NATO Response Force (NRF), during periods of peace, crisis and tension. Command rotation occurs semi-annually among participating States.
Moreover, the Government Council for National Security (KYSEA) also decided to appoint new police and fire chiefs, in a bid to address mounting public concerns about law and order.
Following the council’s decisions, Dimitris Mallios, until now head of the Alien and Border Protection Branch, will replace Lazaros Mavropoulos as chief of the Hellenic Police (ELAS).
In the fire service, meanwhile, Giorgos Pournaras is being replaced by Theodoros Vagias, who was head of the Unified Coordination Center for Operations and Crisis Management (ESKEDIK).
Both outgoing officials have been given honorary titles in recognition of their service.
The change in the leadership of the police and fire service comes just days after a radical shakeup in the armed forces.
It also comes in the wake of a gangland shooting in central Athens recently that is being attributed to an ongoing turf war between major organized crime groups.
