Athanasios Tzoganis, former HNDGS Chief, dies at 87

Athanasios Tzoganis, the former Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS), has passed away at the age of 87. A retired Air Force officer, Tzoganis was a prominent figure within the Hellenic Air Force.

Born in Skourta, Aetolia-Acarnania, in 1939, he graduated first in his class from the Air Force Academy in 1962. Throughout his career, he recorded over 7,000 flight hours across various aircraft, including the T-33, F-84F, C-130, and A-7H Corsair. His leadership roles included serving as Deputy to Andreas Papandreou during the early years of the transition to democracy, commanding Tactical Air Force, and serving as Chief of the Hellenic Air Force in 1993 before becoming Chief of the HNDGS, a position he held until 1999.

His funeral service is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Holy Temple of Saint Andrew in Lavrio.