Australian Ambassador to Greece Alison Duncan visited Elefsis Airbase on Saturday, June 14, joining Airbase Commander Brigadier General Efthymios Simitzis to welcome Australian firefighting crews aiding Greece’s wildfire response.
Australian companies McDermott Aviation Group and Pays Aviation — contracted via local partner AK Aviation — are providing aircraft and crews through the Greek Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.
A total of 24 Australian aircraft are operating from 12 bases across the country, including Elefsina, Thessaloniki, and Rhodes, with around 200 crew members rotating throughout the season.
This marks the seventh consecutive year for McDermott and the fifth for Pay’s Aviation in Greece, reflecting the ongoing cooperation between the two nations.
Ambassador Duncan thanked Ross Pay of Pay’s Airservice and Timothy Vercoe of McDermott Aviation for their continued dedication, praising the professionalism of the crews and wishing them a safe and successful season.
