Greece Pushes for Expanded US Presence to Reshape Eastern Mediterranean Security.

According to an article published by eKathimerini on August 2, 2025, and written by journalist Vassilis Nedos, Greece and the United States are engaged in detailed negotiations to revise their Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA), to adjust the American military presence on Greek territory. Based on exchanges between the two governments, the report indicates that Athens is actively pushing for an expansion of this presence, including on specific strategic islands, while Washington remains selective in its response. This strategic repositioning is taking place in a region marked by instability and reflects the operational priorities of the Pentagon, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean.
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U.S. and Greek forces conduct an air assault exercise near Petrochori during Immediate Response 25.
 (Picture source: US DoD)

The most ambitious Greek request concerns the establishment of a permanent American military presence on certain islands, including Skyros. However, this proposal is consistently rejected by Washington, despite repeated requests. The Pentagon continues to adhere to a flexible deployment doctrine and avoids fixed installations on sensitive island territories.

Negotiations have intensified following the near-total destruction of the Stefanovikio air base, formerly used by the 1st Army Air Brigade. In response, three new facilities will be built at Larissa Air Base (110th Combat Wing) to accommodate American helicopters redeployed from Stefanovikio. This development also paves the way for the formal inclusion of two additional sites under the MDCA framework.

The Petrochori firing range in Xanthi, already used by American forces, is one of the locations under consideration for expanded activity. Similarly, Camp Dalipi in Thessaloniki could soon host a U.S. command staff, reinforcing operational oversight in northern Greece. This northern orientation reflects Washington’s growing interest in NATO’s eastern flank, in proximity to the Black Sea and the Balkans.

The U.S. presence in Alexandroupoli remains unchanged, as the area continues to serve a central logistical role in regional deployments. In parallel, discussions are ongoing about the modernization of the Souda Bay base in Crete. These cover both the naval facilities at Marathi and the adjacent air base of the 115th Combat Wing. Planned upgrades include new hangars for American aircraft, the establishment of a Joint Tactical Operations Center (JTOC), and the replacement of parts of the base perimeter.

The Pentagon has allocated approximately $42 million for investments in Greek military infrastructure for the 2021–2026 period. A portion of these funds is designated for the modernization of maintenance facilities supporting small special operations vessels, which are frequently deployed between Crete and Cyprus.

Technical discussions on legal and administrative matters are being conducted by bilateral working groups. These are particularly relevant in light of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s stated intention to cut non-essential spending in order to reinforce the operational effectiveness of U.S. forces. Nevertheless, Greece appears to be exempt from such reductions. The Souda facilities, recently used in operations involving the Middle East, remain strategically important for the United States.

In summary, these negotiations reflect a continuously evolving bilateral framework. While certain Greek demands, especially regarding island deployments, are met with resistance, other proposals are moving forward, notably those concerning Larissa, Alexandroupoli, and Souda. This evolving cooperation confirms that, in a tense Eastern Mediterranean environment, Greece remains a key military partner for the United States.