Hellenic Air Force

 

Hellenic Air Force Πολεμική Αεροπορία
Hellenic Air Force Emblem
Founded	1911
Country	Greece
Branch	Hellenic Armed Forces
Role	National Defense and Air Superiority
Size	33,000 personnel 557 aircraft
Part of	Hellenic Ministry of National Defense
Motto	"Αίεν Υψικρατείν" "Always Dominate the Heights"
Colors	Blue / White
Battles/wars	Balkan Wars, World War I, Asia Minor Campaign, World War II, Korean War, Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Commanders
Chief of Air Force General Staff	Lieutenant General (Pilot) Ioannis Yagos
Insignia
HAF Roundel
HAF Fin Flash
Aircraft flown
Attack	F-16, Mirage 2000, Mirage 2000-5 Mk2, F-4E Phantom II
Bomber	A-7 Corsair II
Fighter	F-16 Fighting Falcon
Interceptor	Mirage 2000, Mirage 2000-5 Mk2
Patrol	P-3B Orion
Reconnaissance	EMB-145SA, RF-4E, Pegasus II
Trainer	T-41, T-6 Texan II, T-2
Transport	C-27J, C-130, C-47, ERJ-135, Gulfstream V, Bell 212

The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) (Greek: Πολεμική Αεροπορία (ΠΑ), Polemikí Aeroporía) is the air force of Greece. The mission of the Hellenic Air Force is to guard and protect the Greek airspace, provide air assistance and support to the Hellenic Army and the Hellenic Navy as well as humanitarian aid (upon request) in Greece and around the world.

During the period of monarchy (1935-1973) the force was known as the Hellenic Royal Air Force (Ελληνική Βασιλική Αεροπορία (EBA), Ellinikí Vasilikí Aeroporía).

The motto of the Hellenic Air Force is "Αίεν Υψικρατείν" meaning "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

The Hellenic Air Force was founded in 1911 and has more than 90 years of history. The first efforts to introduce aviation in Greece clearly belong to Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos, whose contribution was widely recognized in 2000, when the Greek Government gave his name to the Athens International Airport.

Foundation and the Balkan Wars

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. The first Greek aviator was Emmanuel Argyropoulos, who flew in a Nieuport IV.G. "Alcuin" aircraft, on February 8, 1912.

The first military flight was made on 13 May of that year by Lieutenant Dimitrios Kamberos. In June, Kamberos, flew with the "Daedalus", a Farman Aviation Works aircraft that had been converted into a seaplane, setting the foundations of the Naval Aviation. That September, the Greek Army fielded its first squadron, the "Aviators Company" (Λόχος Αεροπόρων).

World War I and aftermath

The Hellenic Air Force participated in the Balkan Wars, World War I, the Asia Minor Campaign and World War II. Initially it consisted of the separate Army Aviation and Naval Aviation services, but in 1930 the Aviation Ministry was founded, establishing the Air Force as the third branch of the Armed Forces. In 1931 the Hellenic Air Force Academy, the Scholi Ikaron, 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, but practically the entire force was destroyed by the German Luftwaffe in April 1941. The Air Force was rebuilt in the Middle East as part of the British Royal Air Force, flying Spitfires, Hurricanes and Martin Baltimores.

After Greece's liberation in 1944, it returned home and subsequently played a decisive role in the Greek Civil War, which lasted until 1949.

Post-war developments

In the 1950s, the force was rebuilt and organized according to NATO standards, with US aid. The Greek Air Force participated in the Korean War with a transport flight.

Many aircraft systems were revised. The F-84F first flew with the Hellenic Air Force in 1950. 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 late 1960s the modernization of the fleet was vital, so RHAF acquired new jet aircraft, that served well for almost 20 years. The main turbojets that entered the HAF fleet were the F-104G "Starfighter" and later on, the Convair F-102 "Delta Dagger" (in service 1969-1975), the Dassault Mirage F1CG, the F-5 "Freedom Fighter" and the F-4E "Phantom", upgraded versions of which still serve today.

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 1988 the first fourth[1] 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 and equipped the 331 and 332 squadrons. In January 1989, the first F-16C/D Block 30 arrived in Nea Anchialos (111 Combat Wing) and were allocated between the 330 and 346 squadrons.

In 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 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron.

In 1997 the reception of fourth generation aircraft continued. In July, delivery of forty F-16 Block 50 began. The new aircraft, equipped with the LANTIRN navigation and targeting pod as well as AMRAAM and HARM missiles, were allocated to the 341 and 347 squadrons.

Entering the 21st century

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 purchace any more aircraft with nuclear mounting capabilities.

In September 2004 started the Mirage 2000BG/EG fleet upgrade to the standard 2000-5 Mk2 and the project was undertaken by the French manufacturer Dassault and the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAB). Fifteen aircraft were ordered, while ten more were undertaken for upgrade by Dassault and EAB. The enhancements include upgraded radar and avionics, air-refueling capabilities, new self-defense system and upgraded engine, while the cockpit has taken some serious reforms.

In 2005, Greece was among the first countries to add the F-16 Block 52+ to its inventory. Ninety of these 4.5th[2] generation aircraft were ordered and delivery begun the same year. This advanced F-16 type is an improved version of the Block 50 featuring a more powerful radar, better communications systems and an upgraded engine. The Hellenic Air Force's Block 52+ belong to the 337, 340 and 343 Squadrons with call signs "Ghost", "Fox" and "Star" respectively. 337 SQ is based at Larissa Air Force Base (110 Combat Wing) and the other two in Souda AB (115 CW).

In 2007, the Hellenic Air Force has a total fighter fleet of 275 modern or upgraded aircraft and due to retirement of units that have ended their circle of operation, is looking forward to acquiring new 4th, 4.5th or 5th generation fighters in order to reach a total number of 300 advanced fighters, according to the "2007 Supreme Air Force Council Momentum" published in 2007. Such goal is to be gradually reached until 2015. Prime candidates for a 4.5th or 5th[3] generation aircraft, of which acquisition is considered certain, are the Eurofighter Typhoon, F-35 Lightning II (JSF) and Dassault Rafale.

Organisation

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

The Hellenic Air Force includes aproximantly 33,000 active troops, of whom 11,750 are carrier officers, 14,000 are professional conscripts (ΕΠ.ΟΠ.), 7,250 are volunteer conscripts and 1,100 are women. The three commands are the Tactical Air Command, headquartered at Larisa, the Air Support Command and the Air Training Command, 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 Ankhialos southeast of Larisa, 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, 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.

Senior Command

• Minister of National Defence (Website)  : Evangelos Meimarakis
  • Chief of Air Force General Staff  : Air Marshal Ioannis Yagos (Pilot)
    • Chief of Tactical Air Force Command (HTAFC)  : Air Marshal Theologos Simeonidis (Pilot)
      • Commander of Combined Air Operation Center 7 (CAOC7)  : Air Marshal Theologos Simeonidis (Pilot)
    • Chief of Air Force Support Command (HAFSC)  : Air Vice Marshal Vasilios Tzinaetis (Pilot)
    • Chief of Air Force Training Command (HATC)  : Air Vice Marshal Nikolaos Goutzouris (Pilot)

Officers Ranks and Insignia

NATO Code	OF-10	OF-9	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1		OF-D-	Student Officer
Greece (Edit)	No equivalent
		Pterarchos	Antipterarchos	Ypopterarchos	Taxiarchos	Sminarchos	Antisminarchos	Episminagos	Sminagos	Yposminagos	Anthiposminagos

• OF-1 : Anthiposminagos equivalent to Pilot Officer or 2nd Lieutenant

• OF-1 : Yposminagos equivalent to Flying Officer or 1st Lieutenant

• OF-2 : Sminagos equivalent to Flight Lieutenant or Captain

• OF-3 : Episminagos equivalent to Squadron Leader or Major

• OF-4 : Antisminarchos equivalent to Wing Commander or Lieutenant Colonel

• OF-5 : Sminarchos equivalent to Group Captain or Colonel

• OF-6 : Taxiarchos equivalent to Air Commodore or Brigadier General

• OF-7 : Ypopterarchos equivalent to Air Vice-Marshal or Major General

• OF-8 : Antipterarchos equivalent to Air Marshal or Lieutenant General

• OF-9 : Pterarchos equivalent to Air Chief Marshal or General

• OF-10: No equivalent rank in the Air Force because of the structure of the Hellenic Armed Forces

Combat Wings

• 110th Combat Wing (110 Πτέρυγα Μάχης)
  • 337th Fighter Squadron "Ghost" (337 Μοίρα "Φάντασμα") - Flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon - C/D Block 52+
  • 346th Fighter Squadron "Jason" (346 Μοίρα "Ιάσων") - Flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon - C/D Block 30
  • 348th Fighter Squadron "Eyes" (348 Μοίρα "Μάτια") - Flies the F-4 - RF-4E Phantom II

• 111th Combat Wing (111 Πτέρυγα Μάχης)
  • 330th Fighter Squadron "Thunder" (330 Μοίρα "Κεραύνος") - Flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon - C/D Block 30
  • 341st Fighter Squadron "Ace" (341 Μοίρα "Άσσος") - Flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon - C/D Block 50
  • 347th Fighter Squadron "Perseus" (347 Μοίρα "Περσεύς") - Flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon - C/D Block 50

• 114th Combat Wing (114 Πτέρυγα Μάχης)
  • 331st Fighter Squadron "Aegeus" (331 Μοίρα "Αιγέας") - Flies the Mirage 2000 - 2000-5 Mk2
  • 332nd Fighter Squadron "Falcon" (332 Μοίρα "Γεράκι") - Flies the Mirage 2000 - BG/EG

• 115th Combat Wing (115 Πτέρυγα Μάχης)
  • 340th Fighter Squadron "Fox" (340 Μοίρα "Αλεπού") - Flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon - C/D Block 52+
  • 343rd Fighter Squadron "Star" (343 Μοίρα "Αστέρι") - Flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon - C/D Block 52+

• 116th Combat Wing (116 Πτέρυγα Μάχης), based in Araxos, prefecture of Achaia
  • 335 Bomber Squadron "Tigers" (335 Μοίρα Βομβαρδισμού "Τίγρεις") - Flies the A-7 Corsair - TA-7C Corsair II
  • 336 Bomber Squadron "Hawk" (336 Μοίρα Βομβαρδισμου "Γεράκι") - Flies the A-7 Corsair - TA-7C Corsair II
• 117th Combat Wing (117 Πτέρυγα Μάχης), based in Andravida, prefecture of Ilia
  • 338 Interception Squadron "Ares" (338 Μοίρα Αναχαίτησης "Άρης") - Flies the F-4 PI2000 - F-4E Phantom II
  • 339 Interception Squadron "Ajax" (338 Μοίρα Αναχαίτησης "Αίας") - Flies the F-4 PI2000 - F-4E Phantom II

Training Wings

• 124 Basic Training Wing (124 Πτέρυγα Βασικής Εκπαίδευσης), located in Tripoli, Arcadia.
  • 1st Cadets Training Squadron (1η Mοίρα Εκπαίδευσης Νεοσυλλέκτων)
  • 2nd Cadets Training Squadron (2η Mοίρα Εκπαίδευσης Νεοσυλλέκτων)
  • 3rd Cadets Training Squadron (3η Mοίρα Εκπαίδευσης Νεοσυλλέκτων)
  • Local Defense Training Squadron (Mοίρα Εκπαίδευσης Τοπικής Άμυνας)

• 120 Air Training Wing (120 Πτέρυγα Εκπαίδευσης Αέρος), located in Kalamata, Messinia.
  • 361 Air Training Squadron (361 Μοίρα Εκπαίδευσης Αέρος)
  • 362 Air Training Squadron (362 Μοίρα Εκπαίδευσης Αέρος)
  • 363 Air Training Squadron (363 Μοίρα Εκπαίδευσης Αέρος)
  • 364 Air Training Squadron (364 Μοίρα Εκπαίδευσης Αέρος)
  • Sea Survival Training School / S.S.T.S. (Σχολείο Εκπαίδευσης Θαλάσσιας Επιβίωσης / Σ.Ε.Ε.Θ.)

• 123 Technical Training Wing (123 Πτέρυγα Τεχνικής Εκπαίδευσης), located in Decelea, Tatoi.
  • Air Defense Staff Training Center (Κέντρο Εκπαίδευσης Προσωπικού Αεράμυνας / Κ.Ε.Π.Α.)
  • 128 Squadron of Communications Training and Avionics (128 Σμηναρχία Εκπαίδευσης Τηλεπικοινωνιών και Ηλεκτρονικών / Σ.Ε.Τ.Η.), located in Kavouri, Athens

Equipment

Aircraft inventory

Aircraft and Helicopters	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Total Numbers	Notes
Alenia C-27 Spartan	Italy	Transport	C-27J	12		8 have been delivered of which 4 have entered service. The remaining 4 on order will be equipped with IFRRS (In Flight Refuelling Receiver System). [4]
Lockheed C-130 Hercules	United States	Transport	C-130B C-130H	5 10	15	The fleet is undergoing an Avionics Upgrade (AUP) by SPAR Aerospace [5] and HAI.
C-47 Skytrain	United States	Transport	C-47D	2
Gulfstream V	United States	VIP Transport	G500	1
Embraer ERJ-135	Brazil	VIP Transport	ERJ-135ER	2
Embraer EMB-145	Brazil	Airborne Early Warning (AEW&C)	EMB-145SA	4		also known as "Ericsson Erieye"
EAB Pegasus II	Greece	Reconnaissance (RUAV)	E1-79	5		Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Lockheed P-3 Orion	United States	Maritime Patrol	P-3B	4		2 more retired and used for spare parts
NAMC YS-11	Japan	Calibration	YS-11A	1
McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II	United States	Fighter Reconnaissance	F-4E PI2000 RF-4E	35 21	56
Vought A-7 Corsair II	United States	Ground Attack	A-7E TA-7C A-7H TA-7H	36 15 29 5	85	Plans to retire by 2010. The 34 TA/A-7H will be put in reserve but will be kept operational till their final retirement.
Dassault Mirage 2000	France	Fighter	2000BGM-3 2000EGM-3 2000-5 Mk2	3 17 25	45	6 Mirage-2000-5 Mk2 have been delivered and 19 more are under delivery [6].
Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon	United States	Fighter	F-16C F-16D	103 28	131[1]	Versions operating: Block 30, Block 50D, Block 52+ 20 additional F-16C Block 50 and 10 F-16D Block 52+ aircraft on order [7]
T-41 Mescalero	United States	Trainer	T-41D	20		Military version of the Cessna 172 Skyhawk
Beechcraft T-6 Texan II	United States	Trainer	T-6A T-6A NTA	25 20	45	T-6A NTA has the capability to carry rocket pods, gun pods, external fuel tanks and bombs (similar to T-6B). [8]
Rockwell T-2 Buckeye	United States	Trainer	T-2C T-2E	5 35	40
Bombardier CL-215	Canada	Firefighting		13
Bombardier CL-415	Canada	Firefighting Firefighting & SAR	415GR 415MP	7 1	8	CL-415MP model have SAR capabilities. It is visually recognisable by the black radome at the nose cone.[9] [10]
PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader	Poland	Firefighting	M-18 M-18BS	19 3	22
Grumman Ag Cat	United States	Firefighting	G-164A	12
Agusta A109	Italy	MEDEVAC Helicopter	A-109 Power	3
Eurocopter Super Puma	France	CSAR & SAR Helicopter	AS-332C1	10		2 have MEDEVAC configuration, while the initial 4 were ordered by the Ministry of Merchant Marine. [11]
Bell 212	Italy	VIP Helicopter	Bell-212	4
Bell 205	Italy	SAR Helicopter	AB-205	11		built by Agusta
Bell 47	United States	Utility Helicopter	47G	7

Retired & Historical Aircraft

• Hawker Hurricane
• Supermarine Spitfire
• C-47 Skytrain
• HU-16 Albatros
• SB2C Helldiver
• Cessna T-37
• Nord Noratlas
• Mirage F-1
• T-33 Shooting Star
• F-86 Sabre
• F-84 Thunderjet
• F-84 Thunderstreak
• F-102 Delta Dagger
• F-104 Starfighter
• F-5 Freedom Fighter

Weapons Inventory

• AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM: 150
• AIM-120B AMRAAM: 240 [12]
• AIM-9 Sidewinder -M: 165
• AIM-9 Sidewinder -L/I1: 300
• AIM-9 Sidewinder -L/I: 400
• AIM-9 Sidewinder -P4 (upgraded P3 and J-Sidewinder) : 1,000
• MBDA MICA : 300
• IRIS-T : 350
• R550 Magic-2 : 304
• Exocet AM-39 Block 2 : 39
• SCALP EG : 90
• AFDS: 70
• AGM-65G2 : 200
• AGM-65A/B : 200+
• AGM-88 HARMB Block IIIA: 84
• AGM-154C JSOW: 40 on order
• GBU-8B HOBOS: 96
• GBU-12 & GBU-16 Paveway II: 1,162
• GBU-24 Paveway III :200

Navigation & Targeting Pods

• DB-110: 2
• LANTIRN-AWNP (F-16 Block 50D & 52+): 24
• LANTIRN-TP (F-16 Block 50D & 52+): 24
• F-4E UAP Targeting Pods: 15
• A-7E Night Navigation Pods: ?

Anti-aircraft Systems

• Patriot PAC III AA missile system: 6 Batterries / 36 launchers / 198 missiles
• S-300 PMU1 AA missile system: 2 Batteries / 8 launchers / 96 missiles
• SKYGUARD/VELOS AA system: 20 launchers / 280 missiles / 24 Oerlikon-35 Guns
• Crotale NG/GR AA missile system: 9 launchers
• TOR M1 AA missile system: 4 launchers
• Stinger portable AA missile: unknown number of launchers / 300 missiles
• Artemis 30 30 mm AA guns: 38
• Rheinmetall 202 Mk20 : 326

Notes

The camo extensively used is the "Aegean Ghost" theme (Φάντασμα του Αιγαίου). Note that Greece has placed an order for 20 additional F-16C Block 50 and 10 F-16D Block 52+ aircraft [13]. Also, the purchase of new generation fighters is likely to follow due to the A-7 Corsairs being gradually retired from service. The prime candidates are the Eurofighter Typhoon , the F-35 Lightning II (Joint Strike Fighter) and the French Rafale.

See also

• Main Article: Hellenic Air Force Academy
• Main Article: Hellenic Aerospace Industry

References

• "Greek Defensive Review 2007-2008", "Amintiki Grammi" Publications, August 2007

• "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, 15 January 2007

• The Library of Congress Country Studies, CIA World Factbook

• Hellenic Air Force official website

• http://www.photius.com/countries/greece/national_security/greece_national_security_the_hellenic_air_for~220.html

• http://www.hellas.org/military/air_force/hafhist.htm

External links

• Hellenic Air Force - Official site
• Aircraft inventory (Greek)
• Hellenic Air Force Photo Album (unofficial)

Military of Greece
Hellenic Navy | Hellenic Army | Hellenic Air Force

Lists relating to aviation
General	Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines
Military	Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft
Notable incidents & accidents	Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths
Records	Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft

Donate to Wikimedia