Hellenic Force in Cyprus

Hellenic Force in Cyprus
Ελληνική Δύναμη Κύπρου
Active1959–present
Country Greece
Allegiance Cyprus
Branch Hellenic Army
TypeInfantry
RoleMechanized infantry
Sizec. 950 (battalion)
Part of Hellenic Armed Forces
Garrison/HQNicosia, Cyprus ("Camp of Major Sotirios Staurianakos")
NicknameEldykarioi (Greek: Ελδυκάριοι)
MottosΤο όμαιμόν τε και ομόγλωσσον και ομόθρησκον και ομότροπον
(The same ancestry and common language and common religion and common traditions)
Uniform camouflageGreek lizard
Service rifleG3
EngagementsTurkish invasion of Cyprus
Websitewww.army.gr
Commanders
Current commanderColonel Ioannis Nasios
Notable
commanders
Dionysios Arbouzis (first)
Nikolaos Nikolaidis
Insignia
Patch of the formal uniforms
Patch of the everyday and combat uniforms
(low visibility)
AbbreviationΕΛΔΥΚ or ΕΛ.ΔΥ.Κ.

The Hellenic Force in Cyprus (Greek: Ελληνική Δύναμη Κύπρου, romanizedElliniki Dynami Kyprou, Turkish: Kıbrıs Yunan Alayı), commonly known in its abbreviated form as ELDYK or EL.DY.K. (Greek: ΕΛΔΥΚ or ΕΛ.ΔΥ.Κ., Greek pronunciation: [elðˈik], Turkish: KYA, Turkish pronunciation: [kejea]) is the permanent, battalion-sized Hellenic Army stationed in the Republic of Cyprus. Its role is to help and support the Cypriot National Guard. Soldiers are selected from the ranks of conscripts doing their military service in the Hellenic Army.