Athens, 22 April 2023 (MIA) – Special forces from North Macedonia, Cyprus, Austria, Bulgaria, France, United States, Montenegro, Serbia and the host country Greece, as well as observers from Egypt and Israel will participate in the international exercise "ORION 23" special warfare command, which will take place April 24-May 5 in the Greek regions of Attica and Viotia, MIA's Athens correspondent reports. 

According to the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA), two exercises will be held during that period, including the Multinational Air Exercise “HNIOHOS 2023” and the International Special Warfare Command exercise "ORION 23", which is within the multinational air exercise and where North Macedonia's special forces will take part. 

"The ORION 23 exercise is a CFX/LIVEX/INVITEX (Command Post Exercise/Live Exercise/Invitation Exercise) strategy development exercise and aims to upgrade the level of understanding and exchange of knowledge between the participants, and increase the operational capabilities of special forces - special operations forces in an inter-allied context, by carrying out complex operational scenarios of increased difficulty and complexity, both on land and sea environment, as well as in areas of strategic importance, such as industrial and energy facilities in the country," said GEETHA. 

The exercise is expanding by the year, it added, "attracting more and more special forces from friendly and allied countries". 

In parallel and in conjunction with “HNIOHOS 2023” the International Special Forces – Special Operations Forces (ED-DEE) Exercise will be held under the name “ORION 23”. The Exercise will take place from Monday, April 24 to Friday, May 5, 2023 in the wider land and sea area of ​​Attikoboeotia, with the participation of ED-DEE from the newly created Special Warfare Command (DEP) of the GHET, the Republic of Cyprus, Austria, Bulgaria, France, the Republic of North Macedonia, the USA, Montenegro and Serbia, as well as parts of EL.AS. (Special Suppressive Anti-Terrorist Unit – E.K.A.M.) and of the LS – EL.AKT. (Underwater Missions Unit – MYA), and additional Observers from Egypt and Israel.

Exercise “HINOCHOS 2023” is of the TAMS type (Tactical Post-Troop Exercise), and aims to strengthen cooperation and interoperability between the Armed Forces (AF) of the participating countries, by conducting advanced operational training and executing complex and demanding scenarios that simulate real business conditions, said GEETHA. 

The exercises are within the framework of the international activities organized and coordinated by GEETHA.