WASHINGTON, DC – On August 8, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-NJ) wrote to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, asking for the United States Department of Defense to provide additional support to Greece, including the deployment of CH-47 helicopters, to combat wildfires currently ravaging the country.

The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) released a statement on August 11 concerning Senator Menendez’s efforts.

AHI President Larigakis said: “I encourage the Biden Administration to reach out and offer very much needed multifaceted assistance to Greece in the aftermath of the devastating fires that engulfed many areas of the country this past week. As such, I commend and congratulate Senator Menendez’s outreach to the Secretary of Defense to request additional U.S. assistance to Greece. Allies should assist their fellow allies in their hour of need, and Greece, a true friend and ally of the United States, deserves, and needs, our support, during this very difficult time."