The United States lowered the Stars and Stripes over one of its military bases Friday, the first to close in Greece under Washington's worldwide defense cuts.
U.S. officials formally relinquished control of the Nea Makri communications station to the Greek navy during the flag-lowering ceremony.Nea Makri, 20 miles northeast of Athens, was set up in 1963 to electronically monitor ships in the Aegean and serve as a communications link for the U.S. 6th Fleet.
Rear Adm. Peter H. Cressy, commander of Fleet Air Mediterranean, represented the United States at the ceremony along with U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Michael Sotirhos.
Representing the Greek navy was Rear Adm. Iraklis Krikos.
U.S. authorities have been winding down operations at Nea Makri since April when they pulled down the base's tallest antenna to symbolize the impending closure.
At the height of operations, 312 U.S. active-duty staff were employed at the base along with 125 local employees.
Hellenikon air base, established in 1947, is scheduled to close next year.
The United States' two remaining bases, both on the northern coast of Crete, will continue to operate under an eight-year defense pact signed by the two countries last July.
The Souda Bay naval facility provides support for U.S. naval forces in the Mediterranean while reconnaissance aircraft use a nearby airfield.
Iraklion air station is an electronic surveillance and relay base and monitors radio communications and Soviet activity in the Mediterranean.