The signing of a Letter of Intent between the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS) and the Florida National Guard, in the presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Minister Nikos Dendias, marked a significant step in military cooperation during the sixth round of the Greece-US Strategic Dialogue, opening up new operational opportunities for Greece’s armed forces.

The Florida National Guard is now preparing to head to Mount Olympus, where a contingent will take part for the first time in the 10-day multinational joint military exercise Immediate Response 27 (IR-27) next May. The exercise forms part of a broader multinational training programme organised by US Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) and will focus on specialised mountain warfare training and tactical manoeuvres. A total of 70 Florida National Guard personnel are expected to participate.

In recent days, members of the Greek armed forces travelled to Florida for training at National Guard facilities. The bilateral partnership covers a wide range of areas of mutual interest, including joint training and exercises, command and control, operational interoperability, logistical support, air operations, disaster response and emergency management. Cooperation will also extend to cybersecurity, space, resilience and civil defence.

A dual-purpose force

Athens’ decision to establish closer ties with the Florida National Guard through the sixth round of the Strategic Dialogue was far from coincidental. One of the key attractions is the National Guard’s dual role, combining the ability to respond to external threats with responsibility for managing domestic crises, including illegal immigration.

According to sources, approximately 40% of the National Guard’s activities involve responding to emergencies and crises arising from everyday challenges. Its land and air capabilities are also comparable to those of Greece.

Florida shares several characteristics with Greece, including an extensive coastline, a similar climate and a strong interest in maritime security. The state also has a significant aerospace and defence industry, leading universities such as Caltech, and, crucially, a large Greek-American community. These factors could help deepen bilateral strategic cooperation.

Another decisive factor in securing the agreement, according to sources, was the Florida National Guard’s extensive experience in responding to natural disasters. Hurricanes and massive wildfires occur frequently in the region, making disaster preparedness and emergency response an essential part of its operations.

In recent years, its activities have also increasingly focused on countering hybrid threats, particularly through training involving unmanned aerial vehicles.

Joint training and operational cooperation

From a strategic perspective, Greece’s planned acquisition of fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, with the latter expected to arrive in Greece during 2027, creates additional opportunities for interoperability and joint training with Florida-based forces.

The Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing, based in Jacksonville, now operates F-35A Lightning II aircraft, offering potential opportunities for Greek personnel to gain experience with the advanced fighter jet.

Florida also hosts two of the US military’s most important command headquarters. US Central Command (CENTCOM), based in Tampa, is responsible for operations across a region that includes the Persian Gulf and has directed recent military operations in Iran. Tampa is also home to US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), which oversees American special operations forces.

The Florida National Guard has deployed combat units to Iraq and Afghanistan, while personnel specialising in special operations may also participate in next May’s exercise on Mount Olympus.

For Greece’s armed forces, however, the partnership is designed to work both ways, with a mutual exchange of expertise and operational experience. Greece has valuable experience to offer US forces, particularly in maritime border surveillance and tackling illegal immigration.

“By working together with Greece, we strengthen our shared values and our collective ability to respond to complex challenges,” said Florida National Guard commander John Haas.

Haas visited Greece for the first time in his military career earlier this month, holding preparatory talks with Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Dimitrios Houpis at the Defence Ministry in Athens.

A $4 billion defence package in the pipeline

The closer relationship between the Hellenic National Defence General Staff and the Florida National Guard is also linked to a new military equipment package worth approximately $4 billion, agreed in connection with Rubio’s visit to Athens.

The package aims to strengthen Greece’s military capabilities through the acquisition of weapons and new defence systems, with particular emphasis on F-35 fighter jets and Black Hawk helicopters. It also includes plans to upgrade 38 F-16 fighter jets to the Viper configuration, the transfer of 8×8 Stryker armoured vehicles and follow-on support contracts, particularly for the new helicopters.

The US Army currently has nine Stryker Brigade Combat Teams, two of which belong to the National Guard. National Guard units began training with upgraded Stryker vehicles last year, while the Washington National Guard transferred eight such vehicles to Bulgaria’s armed forces last April.

Strykers are eight-wheeled armoured vehicles that form the backbone of the US Army’s Stryker brigades. They are available in nine variants, including infantry carrier vehicles, reconnaissance vehicles, mortar carriers, command vehicles and medical evacuation vehicles.

Depending on the configuration, Strykers can carry up to 11 personnel and reach speeds of up to 60 mph (approximately 97 km/h).

The emerging partnership with Florida therefore goes beyond conventional military cooperation, combining operational training, the exchange of specialist expertise and potential equipment acquisitions as Greece and the United States seek to deepen their defence relationship.