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Supreme Military Command of the Interior and Islands
Ανώτερη Στρατιωτική Διοίκηση Εσωτερικού και Νήσων (ΑΣΔΕΝ)
File:ASDEN Badge.jpg
Emblem of the ASDEN
Active 1945–present
Country Flag of Greece Greece
Branch HellenicArmySeal Hellenic Army
Size Army Corps
Part of Hellenic Army General Staff
Garrison/HQ Athens, Attica
Motto(s) Defending One's Country
ΑΜΥΝΕΣΘΑΙ ΠΕΡΙ ΠΑΤΡΗΣ

The Supreme Military Command of the Interior and Islands (Greek: Ανώτερη Στρατιωτική Διοίκηση Εσωτερικού και Νήσων, ΑΣΔΕΝ; Anóteri Stratiotikí Deíkisi Esoterikoú ke Níson, ASDEN), more commonly known as ASDEN, is a Corps-sized formation of the Hellenic Army responsible for the defence of the Aegean Islands.[1]

History[]

Formed in Athens in 1945 as the Higher Military Command of Attica (Greek: Ανωτέρα Στρατιωτική Διοίκηση Αττικής, ΑΣΔΑ; Anotéra Stratiotikí Deíkisi Attikís, ASDA), by 1961 it had evolved from a territorial defence force to a Corps-sized formation, overseeing the Aegean region's four National Guard Commands. It was soon renamed to the Supreme Military Command of the Interior and Islands (Greek: Ανώτερη Στρατιωτική Διοίκηση Εσωτερικού και Νήσων, ΑΣΔΕΝ; Anóteri Stratiotikí Deíkisi Esoterikoú ke Níson, ASDEN) to reflect the expansion of its role.[2]

In 1995, the command's headquarters were relocated to the suburb of Karea in Athens, Attica, and by 2005 it had become a major operational formation of the Hellenic Army, consisting of two division and five brigade-strength, mechanized, National Guard Battalion Higher Commands (Greek: Ανώτατη Διοίκηση Ταγμάτων Εθνοφυλακής, ΑΔΤΕ; Anótati Deíkisi Tagmáton Ethnofylakís, ADTE).[3] After a wide-ranging defense review in 2013, the Corps' capabilities were strengthened with the 5th Infantry Brigade reorganized as an air assault brigade to become ASDEN's rapid reaction force.

Emblem and Motto[]

The emblem of the ASDEN depicts the Lion Gate of Mycenae. It symbolizes power through unity.

The Corps' motto, Defending One's Country (Greek: ΑΜΥΝΕΣΘΑΙ ΠΕΡΙ ΠΑΤΡΗΣ; Amýnesthae Perí Pátris), is from Homer's Iliad, attributed to the Trojan Prince Hector in the final days of the Trojan War, when Polydamantas advised him to stop the attack on the Achaeans because the omens were not good. Hector replied "There's one good omen, defending one's country!" (Greek: «Εις οιωνός άριστος αμύνεσθαι περί πάτρης»).[4]

Structure[]

Supreme Military Command of the Interior and Islands is located in Greece
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ASDEN
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79th
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80th
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5th Cretan
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88th
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95th
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96th
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98th
Locations of ASDEN units
Hellenic Army Supreme Military Command of the Interior & Islands

Supreme Military Command of the Interior & Islands Structure

References[]



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