Ioannis Giagkos

Ioannis Giagkos
Born 1951
Trikala
Allegiance  Greece
Service/branch Hellenic Air Force
Years of service 1974-2011
Rank Air Chief Marshal
Commands held Chief of National Defense General Staff
Chief of Air Force General Staff
Commander of CAOC-7

Air Chief Marshal Ioannis Giagkos (Greek: Ιωάννης Γιάγκος, born 1951) is a Greek Air Force officer and a former Chief of the National Defense General Staff of Greece.

Contents

Career

Air Chief Marshal Giagkos was born in December 1951 in Trikala, Thessaly.[1] He attended the Greek Air Force Academy and graduated in 1974 as a pilot officer.[2] His initial assignment was in the 117 Combat Wing stationed at Andravida Air force Base, as an F-4 Phantom II aircraft pilot. During his career as a command pilot he served as fighter squadron and tactical fighter wing commander in several units of the Greek Air Force, with more than 4,200 flying hours in a variety of aircraft, 3,000 of which in F-4 and F-16 C/D fighter jets.[3] He is an alumnus of various military schools both in Greece and abroad. Air Chief Marshal Giagkos served as Staff Officer in the plans and policy branch at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium and as Commander of the NATO Combined Air Operations Centre-7, in Larissa, Greece.[3][4]

From January 2007 to August 2009 Air Chief Marshal Giagkos held the post of Hellenic Air Force Chief of Staff. During this period the fighter aircraft fleet of the Greek Air Force was increased to 170, as result of the 'Peace Xenia IV' purchase program from Lockheed Martin of 30 additional F-16 Block 52+ aircraft.[5]

On August 6, 2009, following a decision of the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA), he was nominated for appointment to the rank of Air Chief Marshal and the office of the Chief of National Defense General Staff.[2] In September 2009, during discussions with Supreme Allied Commander Europe, U.S. Admiral James Stavridis, Giagkos outlined the country's positions concerning participation of Greece in NATO peace-keeping missions as well as the present situation of the Aegean dispute.[6] He held the post until his retirement, on 3 November 2011.

Military awards

Personal life

Air Chief Marshal Ioannis Giagkos is married and has three children.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Chief of HNDGS". Hellenic National Defense General Staff. http://www.geetha.mil.gr/index.asp?a_id=1721. Retrieved 2009-10-16. 
  2. ^ a b "Chief of Defence of Greece" (PDF). Council of the European Union. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/EUMCCHODsPDF_EL.pdf. Retrieved 2009-10-16. 
  3. ^ a b c "General Ioannis Giagkos. Chief of Staff – Greece". North Atlantic Treaty Organization. http://www.nato.int/cps/en/SID-F7865D7E-1D7975BD/natolive/who_is_who_57142.htm. Retrieved 2009-10-16. 
  4. ^ "Former Chiefs of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff". Hellenic Air Force General Staff. http://www.haf.gr/en/structure/hgesia/yiagos_cv.asp. Retrieved 2009-10-17. 
  5. ^ "F-16 Peace Xenia IV delivery ceremony". General F-16 News. http://www.f-16.net/news_article3321.html. Retrieved 2009-10-17. 
  6. ^ "NATO Commander for Europe visits Athens". Athens News Agency. http://www.hri.org/news/greek/ana/2009/09-09-29.ana.html. Retrieved 2009-10-17. 
Military offices
Preceded by
Georgios Avlonitis		 Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff
23 January 2007 – 6 August 2009		 Succeeded by
Vasilios Klokozas
Preceded by
General Dimitrios Grapsas		 Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff
6 August 2009 – 3 November 2011		 Succeeded by
General Michail Kostarakos