Hellenic Air Force - Recent History
After the tragic consequences of the Second World War and the Civil War that followed, the Air Force began an intensive reconstruction effort. Greece's entry into NATO marked a fundamental reorganization so that the country can meet the standards and requirements of the Alliance. The proximity of Greece and the countries of the Warsaw Pact and Middle East, coupled with the country's entry into the alliance, was a key factor Aviation supply with significant quantities of modern equipment. The First Generation Jets (1950-1973) were mainly from American stocks and related aircraft, historically classified as first generation jet. Such was the capacity building efforts (walkways, sheds, shelters, etc.).
In 1950 war broke out in Korea. Greece has participated in the forces of the UN mission in Korea, in November 1950, the Expeditionary Corps Association (EKSE). The EKSE in power included a reinforced infantry battalion and the 13th Transport Squadron Air Force aircraft C-47 Dakota.
In 1951 he began at Eleusis, the reception of the first training aircraft type Lockheed T-33A Silver Star, to educate the specificities of all jet Flying meant for them. Soon, in 1952 were received the first fighter Republic F-84G Thunderjet. Aircraft deliveries continued at a rapid pace and indeed, because of the particular geopolitical importance of the country, certain types of aircraft delivered by priority as the Republic RF-84F Thunderflash in 1953. At the same time, the size of the fleet of Air Force cargo's increased with adding NORD 2501 Noratlas existing Douglas C-47 Dakota.
Upon entering the 1960s, the Air Force became the first interceptors aircraft Radar, type North American F-86D Sabre and in 1964 passed into the supersonic jet Lockheed F-104G Starfighter and Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighter. Meanwhile, the Fates education strengthened with educational Cessna T-37 Tweety Bird. The first generation was completed upon receipt of the Convair F-102A Delta Dagger.
A milestone in the evolution of the Air Force (HAF) was the political and military events of 1974, due to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. During the operations, the PA put numerous interceptions at sea. History was a daring mission with NORD 2501 Noratlas of 354 Squadron, which in July 1974 moved to Nicosia airport one Commando Squadron, resulting in destruction of four aircraft, the loss of four Greek airmen and 27 Commando.
Until 1974, the Greek Air Force was equipped with hundreds of jets first generation, which came mainly from stock of NATO countries. Although he had sounded out the supply of top fighter McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II, since the mid-1960s, political and economic reasons are not allowed to supply 36 of these fighters, prior to April 1974, with the program Peace Icarus.
The events that followed the Cyprus tragedy led Greece out of NATO and also sparked a major armament program, which was first oriented weapon systems suited to the country's needs, the other directed to other sources than the US. Within this framework, they acquired 40 French fighter Dassault Mirage F-1CG between 1975-1978. The impact area was enhanced significantly since 1975, with the receipt of 65 US bombers Vought A-7H Corsair II (60 single-seat A-7H and 5 two-seat TA-7H) in the period 1975-1977. In the late 1970s, the fleet of fighter strengthened by the addition of 18 McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II and 8 fotoanagnoristikon McDonnell Douglas RF-4E Phantom II. This set of second-generation fighter went along with fighter Lockheed F-104G Starfighter and Northrop F-5A / B Freedom Fighter throughout this period and lifted the weight of the interception of the Turkish provocations in the Aegean.
The current face of the Air Force (HAF) began to take shape in the late 1980s, with the entry into service multirole fighter 3G - Third Generation Jet (1988-Present) It started with the delivery of the first Dassault Mirage 2000 EGM / BGM, in April 1988, 40 of which they equipped the 331 and 332 Squadrons, the main role halt. The following year, received 40 fighter F-16C / D Blk30 from the US within the framework of the Peace Xenia I program, which equipped the 330 and 346 Squadrons.
This basic 3G fighter forces were strengthened with significant deliveries of additional aircraft, including 40 F-16C / D Blk50 program Peace Xenia II, who in 1997 was allocated to the 341 and 347 Squadrons. In 2003, began the delivery of another 60 aircraft version F-16C / D Blk52 +, which armed squadrons, who changed type, such as 337, 340, and 343 Squadrons. The delivery cycle different versions of the F-16 include receiving 30 F-16C / D Blk52 + Advanced, which in 2010 joined the 335 Squadron.
The period after 1988 marked the strengthening of the second generation fighter fleet with the delivery of 28 F-4E Phantom II SRA (withdrawn in 2005) from the US and 27 RF-4E Phantom II Third Generation Jet (1988-Present)from Germany. Also, a significant number bomber A-7E Corsair II added to the potential of the PA. After these receipts was possible to withdraw older fighters like the Republic RF-84F Thunderflash (1991) , the Lockheed F-104G Starfighter (1993) and the Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter (2001).
As part of the modernization of older types, 38 F-4E Phantom II were received under the program Peace Icarus 2000, and received 10 Dassault Mirage 2000-5 and even modernized 15 aircraft Dassault Mirage 2000. The mission support sector also was significantly enhanced by the delivery 12 AS-332C1 Super Puma helicopters, 10 fire Bombardier CL-415, 8 cargo's C-27J Spartan and 6 naval cooperation aircraft Lockheed P-3B Orion, who took advantage of operational War Navy. Also in 2003 they acquired four early warning aircraft, EMB-145H AEW & C. There was a significant improvement of the education of Air Force after acquiring 45 education T-6A Texan II from the US.
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