Ioannis Giangos

Air Chief Marshal Ioannis Giangos
Ιωάννης Γιάγκος
Air Chief Marshal Giangos (right) with visiting SACEUR Admiral James G. Stavridis in 2009
Minister for National Defence
In office 28 August 2015 – 23 September 2015
Prime Minister	Vassiliki Thanou-Christophilou
Preceded by	Panos Kammenos
Succeeded by	Panos Kammenos
Personal details
Born	1951 (age 64–65) Trikala, Thessaly, Greece
Political party	Independent
Children	Three
Education	Hellenic Air Force Academy
Military service
Allegiance	Greece
Service/branch	Hellenic Air Force
Years of service	1974–2011
Rank	Air Chief Marshal
Commands	Chief of National Defense General Staff Chief of Air Force General Staff Commander of CAOC-7

Air Chief Marshal Ioannis Giangos (Greek: Ιωάννης Γιάγκος, born 1951) is a retired Greek Air Force officer and a former Chief of the National Defense General Staff of Greece. He served as an interim Minister for National Defence in the Caretaker Cabinet of Vassiliki Thanou-Christophilou.

Career

Air Chief Marshal Giangos 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 Giangos 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, as Air Marshal, Giangos 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, Giangos 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.

Giangos was appointed as the interim Minister for National Defence in the Caretaker Cabinet of Vassiliki Thanou-Christophilou on 28 August 2015. He served until the legislative election on 20 September.^[7]

Military awards

• Medal of Military Merit 1st Class
• Outstanding Command Commendation Medal 1st Class
• Grand Cross of the Order of the Phoenix
• Grand Commander of the Order of Honour
• Staff Officer Commendation Medal 1st Class
• Formation – Major Unit Command Commendation Medal 1st Class
• General Staff Command Commendation Medal
• Star of Merit and Honour Commendation Medal

Personal life

Giangos is married and has three children.^[3]

References

1. "Chief of HNDGS". Hellenic National Defense General Staff. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
2. "Chief of Defence of Greece" (PDF). Council of the European Union. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
3. "General Ioannis Giangos. Chief of Staff – Greece". North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
4. "Former Chiefs of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff". Hellenic Air Force General Staff. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
5. "F-16 Peace Xenia IV delivery ceremony". General F-16 News. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
6. "NATO Commander for Europe visits Athens". Athens News Agency. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
7. "Caretaker government to be sworn in at 1pm on Friday". To Vima. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.