Iraklion Air Station

Iraklion Air Station
Part of Air Force Intelligence Command (AFIC)
Located Near Gournes, Crete
Emblem of 7276th Air Base Group
Type	Military Air Station
Coordinates	35°19′48″N 025°17′07″E
Built	1954
In use	1954- 1993
Controlled by	United States Air Force
Garrison	7276th Air Base Group

Iraklion AS

Location of Iraklion Air Station, Crete

Iraklion Air Station was a United States Air Force facility located 16 kilometers (9.9 mi) east of the city of Iraklion in the village of Gournes, in the north central section of the Greek island of Crete.

History

Major commands to which assigned

• United States Air Forces in Europe, 1954–1979
• U.S. Air Force Electronic Security Command, 1979–1991
• Air Force Intelligence Command, 1991–1993

Major units assigned

• Det 1, 1603d Air Transport Wing (MATS), 1 Oct 1954-Jan 1966
• 6938th Radio Squadron Mobile (RSM), Apr 1955
• 7222d Air Base Squadron, 1 Aug 1955-1 Jan 1958
• Det 1, 7206th Spt Group, 1 Jan 1958
• 6930th Radio Group, Mobile (RGM) (6931st Scty Gp), 1 Apr 1958-1 Jul 1963

Redesignated: 6931st Security Group (SG) 1 Jul 1963-1 Oct 1978

• 6931st Security Squadron (SS), 1 Jul 1974-1 Oct 1979

Redesignated: 6931st Electronic Security Squadron (ESS), 1 Oct 1979-30 Sep 1993

• 7276th Air Base Group, 1 Oct 1978—30 Sep 1993
• 2115th Communications Squadron, 2 Mar 1979-30 Sep 1993

USAF Hosptial Iraklion 1985-1987

Operational history

A non-flying facility, Iraklion Air Station (Iraklion AS) began operations in support of activities of the 1603rd Air Transport Wing and other USAFE liaison operations in Crete beginning on the 5th of October, 1954. The base also supported units of USAFE and NATO as directed. The base provided administrative and logistical support to the 6931st Electronic Security Squadron, as well as policy guidance in administrative, logistical and support matters for all regular and other tenant organizations at Iraklion AS, and as well as other dispersed U.S. Department of Defense units located on the island of Crete from October 1st, 1978, until the closure of the base in 1993. Iraklion AS also provided liaison and base support services for the United States Embassy located in Athens, Greece.

Since the station's closure in 1993, the facility has been abandoned and appears to have been looted and vandalized. It is in an unkempt state being taken over by weeds. Currently, an aquarium known as the Cretaquarium and an exhibition center are housed at the site.

References

• Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.
• Iraklion Air Station - Crete Website