Ioannis Giagkos
Born 1951
Place of birth	Trikala
Allegiance	Greece
Service/branch	Greek Air Force
Years of service	1974-present
Rank	Air Chief Marshal
Commands held	Chief of National Defense General Staff Chief of Air Force General Staff Commander of CAOC-7

Air Chief Marshal Ioannis Giagkos (Greek: Ιωάννης Γιάγκος, born 1951) is a Greek Air Force officer and the current Chief of the National Defense General Staff of Greece.

Contents 1 Career 2 Military awards 3 Personal life 4 References

[edit] Career

Air Chief Marshal Giagkos 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 Giagkos 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 Air Chief Marshal Giagkos 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 Governmental Council on Foreign Policy and National Defense (KYSEA) of Greece, 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 of 2009, during discussions with Supreme Allied Commander Europe, U.S. Admiral James Stavridis, Giagkos 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]

[edit] Military awards

• Medal of Military Merit 1st Class
• Outstanding Command Commendation Medal 1st Class.
• Grand Commander 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.

[edit] Personal life

Air Chief Marshal Ioannis Giagkos is married and has three children.^[3]

[edit] References

Military offices
Preceded by General Dimitrios Grapsas	Chief of Hellenic National Defense General Staff 2009-	Succeeded by Incumbent
Preceded by Georgios Avlonitis	Chief of Hellenic Air Force General Stuff 2007 - 2009	Succeeded by Vasilios Klokozas