Hellenic Air Force

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Hellenic Air Force
Πολεμική Αεροπορία
File:HAF logo.png
Hellenic Air Force Seal
Founded1930 as a separate service,[1]
Army Aviation established in 1911
Country Greece
RoleNational Defence & Air Superiority
Sizeapprox. 33,000 personnel
538 aircraft
8 types of air defence systems
Part ofHellenic Armed Forces
PatronArchangels Michael and Gabriel
Motto(s)Αἰὲν Ὑψικρατεῖν
"Always Dominate the Heights"
ColorsBlue / White
EngagementsBalkan Wars
World War I
Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922)
World War II
Greek Civil War
Korean War
Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Commanders
Chief of Air Force General StaffAir Marshal Vasilios Klokozas[2]
Insignia
Identification
symbol		ΠΑ
HAF Roundel
HAF Fin Flash
Aircraft flown
AttackF-16, Mirage 2000, Mirage 2000-5 Mk2, F-4E Phantom II
BomberA-7 Corsair II
FighterF-16 Fighting Falcon
InterceptorMirage 2000, Mirage 2000-5 Mk2
PatrolP-3B Orion
ReconnaissanceEmbraer E-99A, RF-4E, Pegasus II
TrainerT-41, T-6 Texan II, T-2
TransportC-27J, C-130, C-47, ERJ-135, Gulfstream V, Bell 212

The Hellenic Air Force, abbreviated to HAF (Greek: Πολεμική Αεροπορία, Polemikí Aeroporía, literally "Military Aviation") is the air force of Greece. The mission of the Hellenic Air Force is to guard and protect Greek airspace, provide air assistance and support to the Hellenic Army and the Hellenic Navy, as well as the provision of humanitarian aid in Greece and around the world. The Hellenic Air Force includes approximately 33,000 active troops, of whom 11,750 are career officers, 14,000 are professional conscripts (ΕΠ.ΟΠ.), 7,250 are volunteer conscripts and 1,100 are women. During the period of monarchy, between 1911–1922 and 1935–1973, the force was known as the Royal Hellenic Air Force (Greek: Ἑλληνικὴ Βασιλικὴ Ἀεροπορία, Ellinikí Vasilikí Aeroporía). The motto of the Hellenic Air Force is the ancient Greek phrase Αἰὲν Ὑψικρατεῖν (Aièn Hypsikrateîn), "Always Dominate the Heights"), and the HAF ensign represents a flying eagle in front of the Hellenic Air Force roundel. The Hellenic Air Force is one of the three branches of the Hellenic Armed Forces.

History

Main article: History of the Hellenic Air Force

Foundation

In 1911, the Greek Government appointed French specialists to form the Hellenic Aviation Service. Six Greek officers were sent to France for training, while the first four "Farman" type aircraft were ordered.All of the six graduated from the Farman school in Étampes near Paris, but only four served subsequently in aviation. The first civilian Greek aviator who was given military rank was Emmanuel Argyropoulos, who flew in a Nieuport IV.G. "Alkyon" aircraft, on February 8, 1912.

The first military flight was made on May 13, 1912 by Lieutenant Dimitrios Kamberos. In June, Kamberos flew with the "Daedalus", a Farman Aviation Works aircraft that had been converted into a seaplane, setting a new world average speed record at 110 km/h (68 mph) and the foundations of Naval Aviation. During September of the same year, the Greek Army fielded its first squadron, the "Aviators Company" (Λόχος Αεροπόρων).

Balkan Wars and aftermath

On October 5, 1912, Kamberos flew the first combat mission, a reconnaissance flight over Thessaly.This was the first day of the Balkan wars, and during the same day a similar mission was flown by German mercenaries in Ottoman service in the Thrace front against the Bulgarians.The Greek and the Ottoman mission flown during the same day are the first military aviation combat missions in a conventional war.As a matter of fact all Balkan countries used military aircraft and foreign mercenaries during the Balkan Wars. January 24, 1913 saw the first naval co-operation war mission worldwide, which took place above the Dardanelles. Aided by the destroyer Velos, first Lieutenant Michael Moutoussis and Ensign Aristeidis Moraitinis flew the Maurice Farman hydroplane and drew up a diagram of the positions of the Turkish fleet, against which they dropped four bombs. This was not the first air-to-surface bombing in military history as there was a precedent in the Turkish Italian war of 1911, but the first recorded attack against ships from the air.

Initially, the Hellenic Army and the Royal Hellenic Navy operated separate Army Aviation and Naval Aviation units. During the Balkan Wars, various French Henry and Maurice Farman aircraft types were in use. Naval Aviation was officially founded in 1914 by the then CinC of the Greek Navy, British Admiral Mark Kerr. Greek aviation units participated in World War I and the Asia Minor Campaign, equipped by the Allies with a variety of French and British designs.

In 1930, the Aviation Ministry was founded, establishing the Air Force as the third branch of the Armed Forces. The Hellenic Army Air Service and Hellenic Naval Air Service were amalgamated into a single service, the Hellenic Air Force. In 1931 the Hellenic Air Force Academy, the Scholi Ikaron (Σχολή Ικάρων), was founded.

In 1939, an order for 24 Marcel Bloch MB.151 fighter aircraft was placed, but only 9 of the aircraft reached Greece, since the outbreak of World War II prevented the French from completing the order. The aircraft served in the 24th Pursuit Squadron (MD – Moira Dioxis) of the then Hellenic Royal Air Force.

World War II and Civil War

During the Second World War, the RHAF successfully resisted the Italian invasion in 1940. On November 2, 1940, a Breguet 19 intercepted the Italian Mountaineers Division "Julia" while it was penetrating Pindos mountain range and moving on to occupy Metsovo. On March 1941 the Italian invasion was confronted successfully. During the Greco-Italian War the Hellenic Air Force shot down 64 enemy aircraft while another 24 were claimed, too. On April 1941, wehrmacht invaded Greece to assist her Italian allies. Almost the entire force was destroyed by the German Luftwaffe. Some aircraft managed to escape in the Middle East. The top ace of Hellenic Air Force was Andreas Antoniou with 5.5 victories.[3]

The aircraft that managed to escape were five Avro Anson, one Dornier Do 22 and three Avro 626. The Hellenic aviation was rebuilt under the Ministry of Air Force based in Cairo. Three Hellenic squadrons were built, which were operating under the command of RAF. These squadrons were the 13th Light Bombing Squadron(with Avro Anson, Bristol Blenheim and Martin Baltimore as well as the 335 and 336 Fighting Squadrons( with Hawker Hurricane I and II and Spitfire V types ) . The Hellenic Squadrons in the Middle East took over a variety of missions, such as convoy patrols, antisubmarine search, offensive patrols, reconnaissance, attacks and interceptions of the enemy aircraft. In summer 1943, the Greek Squadrons participated in the attack against wehrmacht in the island of Crete. From May to November 1944 the Greek squadrons continued in Italy. Greek pilots operated with great success. Two of those pilots were Pilot Officer G. Tsotsos and Master Sergeant D. Soufrillas flying Spitfires credited with shooting down German Junkers 88 bombers. Seventy men were lost due to the fight for freedom.[4]

During World War II, Greek pilots who were flying with the colours of RAF achieved many victories. Wing Commander John Agorastos Plagis managed to shoot down 17 enemy aircraft fighting over Malta and Western Europe. Flying Lieutenant Vasilios Michael Vassiliadis was credited with 11,5 enemy aircraft over Western Europe (killed in action on 15 March 1945 over Germany). Flying Officer Spiros Nicolaou Pisanos an immigrant to USA in 1938, joined the 'Eagle Squadron' of RAF and fought over the Western European Theater. He joined later USAF and took the US citizenship to continue fighting with the same squadron that became by that time part of the USAF 4th FG. He achieved 10 victories with USAF until 1944.

After Greece's liberation in 1944, RHAF returned home and subsequently played a decisive role in the Greek Civil War, which lasted until 1949, re-equipped with Spitfire IX , Spitfire XVI fighters and Curtiss Helldiver bombers.

Post-war developments

After the end of the Greek Civil War, in November 1950, in order to assist the United Nations, Greece sent to South Korea seven C-47 Dakota aircraft of the 13th Transport Aircraft Squadron. The Greek Aircraft operated in Korea until May 1955. Greek pilots flew thousands of war missions such as air evacuations, transports of personnel, prisoners of war and every kind of material, drops of supplies and ammunition and collection of information.

In 1952, Greece was admitted to NATO and the Air Force was rebuilt and organized according to NATO standards, with US assistance. New aircraft, including jets, were introduced.

The first jet fighter interceptor design to be flown by the Hellenic Air Force was the F-84G Thunderjets soon to be replaced by Canadair Sabre 2, about 100 examples being supplied during 1954 and 1955 after upgrading in the United Kingdom following service with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Lockheed T-33s were delivered to training units and some RT-33's for reconnaissance misions.

The Republic F-84F first flew with the Hellenic Air Force in 1955. The Thunderstreak was developed to overcome the limitations of the Thunderjet's straight flying surfaces. The RF-84F was the reconnaissance version of the F-84 F Thunderstreak. This aircraft remained operational with the 348 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the Hellenic Air Force from 1956 to March 29, 1991.

In the late 1960s, the RHAF acquired new jet aircraft, that served well for almost 20 years. The main jets that entered the HAF fleet during this period were the F-104G Starfighter and later on, the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger (in service 1969–1975) and the F-5 Freedom Fighter.

In the mid 1970s, Hellenic Air Force was further modernized with deliveries of the Dassault Mirage F1CG fleet, A-7H/TA-7H Corsair II and the first batch of F-4E Phantom II, upgraded versions of which still serve today.

Also in 1993, USAF delivered to Hellenic Air Force 62 A-7E/TA-7C. With these type of aircraft, the air to ground capabilities of Hellenic Air Force were increased. Some of the A-7s are still in service with the Hellenic Air Force, until the deliveries of 4.5 generation fighters.[5]

Modernization

Until the late 1980s, the Air Force deployed Nike-Hercules Missiles armed with U.S. nuclear warheads. As a result of Greco-Turkish tensions around the 1974 Turkish invasion in Cyprus, the U.S. removed its nuclear weapons from Greek and Turkish alert units to storage. Greece saw this as another pro-Turkish move by NATO and withdrew its forces from NATO’s military command structure from 1974 to 1980.

In March 1985, the Greek government announced the purchase of 40 F-16s. The program was called Peace Xenia I. Due to the Peace Xenia I, Greece ordered 36 F-16C Block 30 and 4 F-16D Block 30.

The same month Greece ordered 36 single-seat Mirage 2000EG and 4 two-seat Mirage 2000BG, as part of the "Talos" modernization program.

In 1989, the first fourth generation fighters were introduced, marking the beginning of a new era: the first Mirage 2000 EG/BG aircraft were delivered to the 114 Combat Wing in Tanagra airforce base and equipped the 331 and 332 squadrons. In January 1989, the first F-16C/D Block 30 arrived in 111 combat wing in Nea Anchialos airforce base and were allocated between the 330 "Thunder" squadron and 346 "Jason" squadron in Larissa airforce base. These two squadrons have intercept roles.[6][7]

On March 29, 1991, the RF-84F were retired from service after 34 years and 7 months of operational life. In November 1992 more RF-4E were delivered to the 348 "Eyes" Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron.

In 1993, Peace Xenia II program begun. Due to Peace Xenia II program, Greece ordered 40 more F-16s, this time, the Block 50 version. From these aircraft 32 were F-16C and the other eight were F-16D. The first Block 50 was delivered on July 25, 1997, these new aircraft, equipped with the LANTIRN navigation and targeting pod as well as AIM-120 AMRAAM and AGM-88 HARM missiles, were allocated to the 341 "Aces" and 347 "Perseus" squadrons in Nea Anchialos airforce base.

The basic mission of 341 "Aces" squadron is Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD). Also the role of 347 "Perseus" squadron is air to ground missions.

Entering the 21st century

Two F-16C Block 52+ of the 343 Squadron "Star" ready for take off. This squadron participated in Red Flag.

Greece participated in NATO "nuclear weapons sharing" until 2001, using A-7 Corsair IIs to deploy tactical B61 nuclear warheads from Araxos Air Base. Greece then strategically decided to remove all nuclear weapons under storage in Greece and did not purchase any more aircraft with nuclear mounting capabilities.

In 1998, Greece decided in cooperation with the German Aerospace Industry (DASA) and Hellenic Aerospace Industry(EAB) to upgrade 39 F-4E Phantom II. After many problems, the first aircraft were delivered in Andravida Air Base, in December 2002. The upgraded aircraft are equipped with a new radar, mission control computer, Head Up Display, IFF Interrogator, Multi Function Displays and are capable of carrying a large variety of advanced Air To Air and Air To Ground weapons, including the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile. These aircraft are called F-4E Peace Icarus 2000(PI2000) and are operating with the 338 Squadron "Ares" and 339 Squadron "Ajax based in Andravida Air Base in Multi-Role missions.[8]

Entering the 21st century, Greece decided to purchase a large number of fighter aircraft, to replace the non-upgraded F-4E Phantoms, a number of A-7 Corsairs, and the fleet of Mirage F1CGs.

In the year 2000, Greece ordered 60 F-16C/D Block 52+ and 15 Mirage 2000-5Mk.2. The order for the F-16s was about 50 single-seat of the C version and 10 two-seat of the D version. Also, Greece decided to upgrade 10 of its existing Mirage 2000EGs to Mirage 2000-5Mk.2 standards.

In September 2004, Greece started the Mirage 2000BG/EG fleet upgrade to the standard 2000-5 Mk2 and the project was undertaken by the French manufacturer Dassault Aviation and the EAB. Fifteen new aircraft were delivered.[9] The Mirage 2000-5Mk.2 has a new more powerful radar, improved Air To Ground capabilities including the SCALP EG Cruise Missile, new self-protection system, new Inertial Navigation System(INS), a Glass Cockpit and an air to air refueling capability.

In 2005, Greece was the first country worldwide[10] to add the F-16 Block 52+ to its inventory. This advanced F-16 type is an improved version of the Block 50 featuring a more powerful radar, Conformal Fuel Tanks for bigger Ferry Range, advanced communications systems, upgraded engine, Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) and is capable of carying more advanced weapons, including the IRIS-T Air To Air missile. Three squadrons are operating with this type of F-16s. These squadrons are the 337 Squadron "Ghost" in Larissa air base, 340 Squadron "Fox and 343 Squadron "Star" in Souda air base.[11]

In 2005, the Greek government ordered 30 more F-16C/D, 20 single seat and 10 double seat. These aircraft are called F-16C/D Block 52+ Advanced. The differences between the normal Block 52+ and Block 52+ Advanced, are that the Advanced version has, LINK 16 Communications System, more powerful Mission Control Computer, an extra Multi Function Display with a movable map navigation, advanced Debriefing System and the capability of carrying the RECCE Reconnaissance Pod. The first aircraft were delivered to Hellenic Air Force in May 2009 and they are flying with the 335 Squadron "Tiger" in Araxos air base.[12][13]

Future plans

Due to the retirement of units that have ended their operational life (A-7E Corsair II and F-4 Phantom II), the HAF should be looking forward to acquiring new 4th, 4.5th or 5th generation fighters to reach a total number of 300 advanced fighters, according to the Supreme Air Force Council "2007–2012 operational planning" study which was published in 2007. Candidates for 4.5th or 5th generation aircraft are the Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, F-35 Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, MiG-35 and the Sukhoi Su-35.[14]

Organisation

Administrative organisation

The Hellenic Air Force is overseen by the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence, whose head is minister Evangelos Venizelos. More specifically, HAF is directly overseen by the Hellenic National Defence General Staff.

  • Minister of National Defence: Evangelos Venizelos
    • Chief of Air Force General Staff: Air Marshal Vasileios Klokozas[15]
      • Chief of Tactical Air Force Command (HTAFC): Air Marshal Ioannis Patsantaras[16]
      • Chief of Air Force Support Command (HAFSC): Air Vice Marshal Konstantinos Iatridis[17]
      • Chief of Air Force Training Command (HAFTC): Air Vice Marshal Konstantinos Vlachavas[18]

The three commands are the Tactical Air Command (Αρχηγείο Τακτικής Αεροπορίας, ATA), headquartered at Larisa, the Air Support Command (Διοίκηση Αεροπορικής Υποστήριξης, ΔΑΥ) and the Air Training Command (Διοίκηση Αεροπορικής Εκπαίδευσης, ΔΑΕ), both based in Athens.

The Tactical Air Command includes eight Combat Wings and one Transport Wing. The Combat Wings have six fighter ground-attack squadrons. There are ten fighter squadrons, one regular reconnaissance squadron, and one marine reconnaissance squadron. Three transport squadrons and two helicopter squadrons form the organization of the air portion of the Tactical Air Command. The Air Training Command includes four training squadrons.

The eight major H.A.F. installations are located in Larisa, Nea Anchialos (west of Volos), Elefsis, west of Athens, Thessaloniki, Tanagra, north of Athens, Souda Bay, Araxos in the northern Peloponnese, and Andravida. Other airports supporting military operations are located in the Aegean Islands of Karpathos, Santorini (Thira), Rhodes, Skyros, and Lemnos as well as in Kavala, Heraklion, Ritsona and Tatoi/Dekeleia, north of Athens.

  • Combat operations are overseen by the Chief of Operations of the Supreme Air Force Council.
  • Support services are managed by the Directorate of Aeronautical Support of the Air Force Support Command.
  • The training squadrons and air force schools, like the "Icarus Air Force Academy" and the "School of Advanced War Training", run by the Training Directorate of the Air Force Training Command. Nowdays the Greek air force is very modernized and is considered the 12th best airforce in the world. Greece is also planning on buying a lot of 4th generation air craft once it recovers from the current economic crisis.

Force structure

Command Structure of the Hellenic Air Force
  • Hellenic Air Force General Staff
    • 251 Air Force General Hospital, Athens
      • Center of Aviation Medicine
      • Supreme Air Force Medical Committee
  • Air Force Tactical Command
    • Air Operations Center in Larissa[19][20]
      • 110th Combat Wing, Larissa AB
        • 337 Fighter Squadron "Ghost" – (F-16C/D Block 52+)
        • 346 Fighter Squadron "Jason" – (F-16C/D Block 30)
        • 348 Reconnaissance Squadron "Eyes" – (RF-4E Phantom II)
      • 111th Combat Wing, Nea Anchialos AB
        • 330 Fighter Squadron "Thunder" – (F-16C/D Block 30)
        • 341 Fighter Squadron "Aces" – (F-16C/D Block 50)
        • 347 Fighter Squadron "Perseus" – (F-16C/D Block 50)
      • 114th Combat Wing, Tanagra AB
        • 331st Fighter Squadron "Theseus" – (Mirage 2000-5 Mk2)
        • 332nd Fighter Squadron "Falcon" – (Mirage 2000BGM/EGM3)
      • 115th Combat Wing, Souda Bay, Crete
        • 340th Fighter Squadron "Fox" – (F-16C/D Block 52+)
        • 343rd Fighter Squadron "Star" – (F-16C/D Block 52+)
      • 116th Combat Wing, Araxos AB
      • 117th Combat Wing, Andravida AB
        • 338 Interception Squadron "Ares" – (F-4E PI2000 Phantom II)
        • 339 Interception Squadron "Ajax" – (F-4E PI2000 Phantom II)
    • Radars
      • 1st Area Control Centre – Hortiatis
      • 2nd Area Control Centre – Parnitha
      • 3rd Area Control Centre – Ziros
    • Combat Groups
    • 350 Guided Missiles Wing, A/B Sedes, Thessaloniki
      • 21st and 22nd GMS – Keratea & Skyros – (MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3)
      • 23rd and 24th GMS – Thessaloniki & Tymbaki – (MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3)
      • 25th and 26th GMS – Crete – (S-300 PMU1, Crotale NG/GR & TOR M1)
      • Maintenance Squadron
    • Special Units
      • 380 AEW&C Squadron – Elefsis – (Embraer E-145H)
      • Air Tactics Center & Tactical Weapons School – Andravida
      • Aerial Photography Interpretation Center – Larissa
      • 140 Electronic Warfare Flight – Larissa
  • Air Force Support Command
    • 112th Combat Wing, Elefsis AB[21]
      • 31 Special Operations Squadron
      • 353 Maritime Reconnaissance Squadron – (P-3B Orion)
      • VIP Transport Squadron – (Embraer ERJ-135ER & Gulfstream V)
      • Tactical Transport Squadrons
        • 354 TTS "Pegasus" – (C-27J Spartan)
        • 355 TTS "Hercules" – (C-130H/B Hercules)
        • 356 TTS "Hephestus" – (Bombardier CL-215 & Dornier Do-28)
      • Search & Rescue Squadrons
        • 358 SARS "Phaethon" – (AB 204/205 & AB 212 helicopters)
        • 384 SARS "Puma" – (AS-332 Super Puma helicopters)
    • 113th Combat Wing, Thessaloniki AB
      • 383 Air Fire Fighting Squadron – (Bombardier CL-415)
    • 129 Support Wing, Thessaloniki AB
      • Transport Squadron
      • Supply Squadron
    • 206 Air Force Infrastructure Wing
      • 201 Air Force Supply Depot
      • 204 Ammunition Supply Depot
      • Petroleum Distribution Command
      • Medical Emergency Helicopter Unit – (AW-109 Hirundo Air Ambulance)
  • Air Force Training Command
    • Air Force Academy, Dekelia AB[22]
      • 360 Initial Training Squadron – (T-41D Mescalero)
    • 120 Air Training Wing, Kalamata AB
      • 361 Air Training Squadron – (T-6A Texan II)
      • 362 Air Training Squadron – (T-2E Buckeye)
      • 363 Air Training Squadron – (T-2E Buckeye)
      • 364 Air Training Squadron – (T-6A Texan II)
    • Sea Survival Training School
      • 123 Technical Training Wing, Dekelia AB
    • Air Defence Staff Training Center
      • 124 Basic Training Wing, Tripoli, Arkadia
        • 1st Cadets Training Squadron
        • 2nd Cadets Training Squadron
        • 3rd Cadets Training Squadron
        • Local Defence Training Squadron
    • Air Force Command and Staff College,
    • Air Force Technical NCO Academy
    • Air Force Administrative NCO Academy
    • Air Force Radio Navigators Academy
    • 128 Communications & Avionics Training Squadron – Kavouri, Athens

Personnel

Commissioned officers

Officer Grade Structure of the Hellenic Air Force
NATO Code OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1
Insignia
Title Pterarchos Antipterarchos Ypopterarchos Taxiarchos Sminarchos Antisminarchos Episminagos Sminagos Yposminagos Anthyposminagos
Greek Πτέραρχος Αντιπτέραρχος Υποπτέραρχος Ταξίαρχος Σμήναρχος Αντισμήναρχος Επισμηναγός Σμηναγός Υποσμηναγός Ανθυποσμηναγός
Equivalent Title Air Chief Marshal
or General 		Air Marshal
or Lieutenant General 		Air Vice-Marshal
or Major General 		Air Commodore
or Brigadier General 		Group Captain
or Colonel 		Wing Commander
or Lieutenant Colonel 		Squadron Leader
or Major 		Flight Lieutenant
or Captain 		Flying Officer
or 1st Lieutenant 		Pilot Officer
or 2nd Lieutenant

NCO/Enlisted

NCO – Enlisted Grade Structure of the Hellenic Air Force
NATO Code OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
Insignia[23]   No insignia
Title Archisminias Archisminias
EPOP 		Episminias Episminias
EPOP		 Efedros
Episminias[24] 		Sminias Sminias
EPOP		 Efedros
Sminias 		Yposmisnias     Sminitis
EPOP 		Sminitis
Greek Αρχισμηνίας Αρχισμηνίας
ΕΠΟΠ 		Επισμηνίας Επισμηνίας
ΕΠΟΠ		 Έφεδρος
Επισμηνίας 		Σμηνίας Σμηνίας
ΕΠΟΠ		 Έφεδρος
Σμηνίας 		Υποσμηνίας     Σμηνίτης
ΕΠΟΠ 		Σμηνίτης
Equivalent
rank 		Chief Master Sergeant Master Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant Airman
1st Class 		Corporal     Airman Airman

Equipment

Aircraft Inventory

Aircraft Origin Type Versions In service Notes
Combat aircraft[25]
Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon United States Multirole Fighter F-16C Block 30
F-16D Block 30
F-16C Block 50
F-16D Block 50
F-16C Block 52+
F-16D Block 52+
F-16C Block 52+ Advanced
F-16D Block 52+ Advanced		 28
4
31
8
37
19
20
10
Dassault Mirage 2000 France Multirole Fighter Mirage 2000EG
Mirage 2000BG
Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2		 17
3
25
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II United States|Greece Tactical Fighter/Reconnaissance RF-4E Phantom II
F-4E AUP		 18
35
LTV A-7 Corsair II United States USA Attack Aircraft A-7E
TA-7C
 37
15
Total Combat Aircraft 295
Military Transport Aircraft[26]
Lockheed C-130 Hercules United States USA Tactical Transport C-130B
C-130H		 5
10
Alenia C-27J Spartan  Italy Transport C-27J 12
Embraer ERJ-135ER  Brazil VIP Transport 2
EMB-145H AEW&C  Brazil Airborne Early Warning & Control 4
Gulfstream V United States USA VIP Transport G500 1
Total Transport Aircraft 34
Trainer aircraft[27]
Cessna T-41 Mescalero United States USA Trainer T-41D 19
Beechcraft T-6 Texan II United States USA Trainer T-6A Texan II
T-6A NTA Texan II		 25
20
Rockwell T-2 Buckeye United States USA Trainer T-2C
T-2E		 5
35
Total Trainer Aircraft 104
Firefighting[28]
Canadair CL-215 Canada Canada Firefighting & SAR CL-215GR 13
Bombardier 415 Canada Canada Firefighting & SAR CL-415GR
CL-415MP		 7
1
PZL M18B "Dromader"  Poland Firefighting 23
Grumman G-164A Ag Cat United States USA Crop Dusting Super Ag Cat A 10
Total Firefighting Aircraft 54
Helicopters[26]
AgustaWestland AW109  Italy MEDEVAC Helicopter A109E Power 3
Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma France France CSAR & SAR Helicopter AS 332C1 Super Puma 12
Agusta-Bell AB205  Italy Multiple-role helicopter AB205A 13
Agusta-Bell AB212  Italy Multiple-role helicopter AB212 4
Bell 47 United States USA Crop Dusting 47G 7
Total Helicopters 37
Other
EAB Pegasus II  Greece Reconnaissance (RUAV) E1-79 ? At least 5 in service and 12 on order.
NAMC YS-11 Japan Japan Calibration YS-11 1
Total Other Aircraft 6 ?
Total Aircraft
Total Aircraft 538

Retired and Historical Aircraft

Weapons Inventory

Navigation and Targeting Pods

Anti-aircraft Systems

Camo

The camo extensively used by the Hellenic Air Force is the "Aegean Ghost" theme (Φάντασμα του Αιγαίου).

Accidents and incidents

Main article: List of aviation accidents and incidents in Greece

The worst accident in the history of the Hellenic Air Force occurred on February 5, 1991 when Lockheed C-130H Hercules 748 crashed into Mount Othrys during the landing approach to Nea Anchialos. Sixty-three people were killed.

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ^ "Hellenic Air Force/History". Haf.gr. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  2. ^ "Supreme Air Force Council". Haf.gr. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  3. ^ "Hellenic Air Force History – Greco-Italian War ... German Invasion;—". www.haf.gr. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
  4. ^ "Hellenic Air Force History – Middle East;—". www.haf.gr. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
  5. ^ "335 Μοίρα Βομβαρδισμού;—". www.haf.gr. Retrieved February 12, 2010.
  6. ^ "330 Μοίρα;—". www.haf.gr. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
  7. ^ "346 Μοίρα;—". www.haf.gr. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
  8. ^ "338 Μοίρα Δίωξης – Βομβαρδισμού;". Haf.gr. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  9. ^ "AeroWorldNet(tm) – Greece Buys 50 F-16s and 15 Mirage 2000s [May 3, 1999]". AeroWorldNet. May 3, 1999. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  10. ^ "Hellenic Air Force Weapons — F-16C/D Block 52+ FIGHTING FALCON". Haf.gr. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  11. ^ "340 Μοίρα;". Haf.gr. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
  12. ^ "Παραλαβή νέων F-16 Block 52+ Advanced;". http://anaxfiles.blogspot.com. Retrieved February 9, 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ "Ολοκληρώθηκαν οι παραδόσεις των F-16 Adv. στην 335Μ;". http://www.defencenet.gr. Retrieved February 9, 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ "DefenceNet — Στην αφετηρία - και πάλι - για το πρόγραμμα του Νέου Μαχητικού Αεροσκάφους 6 υποψηφιότητες (βίντεο)". Defencenet.gr. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
  15. ^ "Chief HTAF & CAOC7 Commander". Haf.gr. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  16. ^ "HAFSC Commander". Haf.gr. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  17. ^ http://www.haf.gr/en/structure/hgesia/iatridis%20_cv.asp
  18. ^ "Commander HAFTC". Haf.gr. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  19. ^ "HAF organization". Koti.welho.com. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  20. ^ "Hellenic Tactical Air Force". Haf.gr. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  21. ^ "Hellenic Air Force — Air Support Command". Haf.gr. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  22. ^ "Hellenic Air Force — Air Training Command". Haf.gr. July 30, 1955. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  23. ^ Hellenic Airforce Ranks
  24. ^ This rank is used only for conscripts holding a PPL, CPL or ATPL license.
  25. ^ http://www.amynanet.gr/isoropia/13.htm
  26. ^ a b http://www.amynanet.gr/isoropia/17.htm
  27. ^ http://www.amynanet.gr/isoropia/18.htm
  28. ^ http://www.amynanet.gr/isoropia/19.htm
  29. ^ "ΑΜΥΝΑ & ΔΙΠΛΩΜΑΤΙΑ 14. Όπλα & συστήματα μαχητικών αεροσκαφών". Amynanet.gr. Retrieved July 29, 2009.

Further reading

External links

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