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GreekReporter.comGreeceUS Lends Aerial Reconnaissance Aircraft to Help Greece Fight Wildfires

US Lends Aerial Reconnaissance Aircraft to Help Greece Fight Wildfires

Greece wildfires
The US Navy’s P-8 reconnaissance aircraft are being used to help fight the Greece wildfires. Credit: Darren Koch/ GFDL 1.2

US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt on Friday again voiced his support for the nation of Greece as it battles wildfires all over the nation, both on the mainland and the islands. The nation of Israel, with whom Greece has recently formed even tighter bonds, also lent a team of crack firefighters to the Greek effort.

Pyatt, who has served as an ambassador in Greece for five years, had stated in an earlier Tweet, posted on Wednesday, “As our Greek allies face the challenges of a heatwaves, fires, evacuations and destruction of property, I offer my admiration for your courage & gratitude to firefighters, Hellenic armed forces personnel, police, government leaders and volunteers working to keep us safe.”

With the US’ decision on Friday to lend its P-8 aerial reconnaissance aircraft to the firefighting efforts in Greece, the American ambassador sent another message to Greece today.

“Like everyone in Greece, we at U.S. Mission Greece are horrified by the scenes of destruction wrought by wildfires around the country and the broader region,” Pyatt stated in a Tweet.

US, Israel just the latest nations to lend assistance to Greece wildfires

“We applaud the many brave firefighters, military personnel, and volunteers who have worked to limit the damage and to save human lives. We know these fires have taken an incredible toll, and understand from similar experiences in the United States how difficult the road ahead will be.

“In response to a request for support from the government of Greece, I am grateful that the U.S. European Command’s Navy component, part of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe, is providing a P-8 aerial reconnaissance aircraft to support firefighting efforts. Through such joint initiatives, we demonstrate the strength of our alliance and how we are #StrongerTogether.”

 

In another development on Friday afternoon, the nation of Israel sent a team to Greece to help in the firefighting effort.

A statement issued by the Israel Foreign Ministry said “The Israeli relief operation is taking place immediately following FM Lapid’s meetings with his Greek and Cypriot counterparts.

“Today a team of 16 firefighters will depart for Greece to assist in dealing with the severe fires that are plaguing the country.

“The firefighting team was formed in coordination with the Israeli Embassy in Athens, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, the National Fire and Rescue Authority and the National Security Council following a request from the Greek government for assistance in dealing with the fires.

Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Yair Lapid noted “Israel is coming to Greece’s aid out of friendship and mutual aid. The entire region is facing challenges that are a result of climate change, and the fires pose a threat to lives and property. I am grateful to the Israeli firefighters who undertook to come to the aid of our Greek friends on behalf of the State of Israel.

“The Israeli relief operation is taking place immediately following FM Lapid’s meetings with his Greek and Cypriot counterparts, and is further expression of the strong bonds of friendship between Israel, Greece and Cyprus.”

Sweden, France, and Romania have also sent materiel and firefighters to the nation to help battle the Greece wildfires.

 

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