Greek and US tank platoons took part in a competition at the tank firing range in Petrochori, Xanthi where the crews were evaluated in operational procedures with measurable objective criteria, which among other things focused on issues of small-scale tactics, technical execution of shots as well as technical issues of tanks.

The US was represented by the C/1-18 Infantry Regiment 4th Armored Corps with M1A1 ABRAMS tanks while Greece took part with the LEO2 (A4 and HEL) tank division.

The final ranking of the platoons resulted from the combination of the time each crew took to complete the tests, in relation to the individual rating of their skills and especially the accuracy of their shots. Crews of both teams displayed great effort, passion, and knowledge of the subjects throughout the competition, as well as their high level of training and operational readiness, a relevant announcement by the Hellenic Army General Staff (HAGS) said.

The final phase of the competition was attended by the commander of the 4th Army Corps (“THRACE”) Lieutenant General Ioannis Tsioplos as the representative of the Chief of the HAGS, Mrs. Salina Rico, Deputy Principal Officer of the American Consulate General in Thessaloniki, COL Kelly McDonald, Chief ODC -GR, observers from Egypt, Armenia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Jordan, Italy, Cyprus and Romania, officers of the Armed Forces and Security Forces, as well as representatives of the Local Government.