Greece to host NATO’s largest air exercise

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117 IAP “Andravida” and 116 IAP “Araxos” will take part in the exercises from Greece, as well as aircraft and personnel from almost all countries of the alliance, including Turkey.

Two Greek bases will host the largest inter-allied air exercises in 2024 – “Ramstein Flag” NATO will be held in Greece for the first time. According to the current schedule, 117 IAP, based in Andravida and 116 IAP, based in Araxos, will receive aircraft and personnel from almost all countries of the alliance, with Greece being at the center of NATO planning at a particularly critical period for geopolitical events in the Eastern Mediterranean.The war between Israel and Hamas led to the emergence of powerful American and other forces in our neighborhood, Athens provided part of the islands of Souda and Elefsina for parking and servicing of allied units.

Exercises”Ramstein Flag“is an opportunity for Athens to demonstrate its stabilizing role in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

The decision to conduct exercises”Ramstein Flag” in Greece was accepted at the headquarters level even before the start of the war in Israel. However, since the risk of the crisis spreading with the possible involvement of other parties – both directly and through intermediaries – in military operations in the Middle East remains, the exercises represent an important opportunity for Athens to demonstrate its stabilizing role in the Eastern Mediterranean region, at least that is what the Greek government says.

On the Greek side, the entire air fleet is planned to participate in the exercise, with the newly received Rafale aircraft and the upgraded F-16 Viper Block50 at the forefront of operations. According to media sources at Air Force headquarters, “Ramstein Flag“This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the high operational level of the Air Force to the Allies. Greek Air Defense is expected to play a leading role, deploying its units throughout the country, while Navy and Special Operations Forces units will take part in the exercise, performing missions to demonstrate striking targets.

Turkey’s participation

Competent sources clarify that, in accordance with the plan of NATO headquarters, Turkey will be regularly invited to exercises. According to the same sources, the calm situation in Greek-Turkish relations for the first time in recent decades provides a rare opportunity for joint exercises between the air forces of the two countries in the skies of the Aegean Sea. However, it is not yet clear whether Turkish fighters will be stationed in Arajos or Andravida, or will take part in exercises using airfields located on the coast of Asia Minor as bases.

The first steps were taken a few months ago, again under the NATO umbrella, when Greek and Turkish aircraft flew in mixed formations and against each other in dogfight scenarios alongside American and British fighters. However, this was preceded by Ankara’s “expulsion” from the inter-allied NATO exercise Tiger Meet 22, organized in Arafat, due to Turkey’s provocative behavior and an unprecedented flurry of overflights over the Greek islands. However, this time they decided to “forget” about it.

F-16 Viper fleet strengthens

The 340th Squadron, based in Crete, will receive another upgraded F-16 Viper. It is the 15th fighter to complete flight testing after installing the new systems, and will reportedly be followed by the 16th, which is due to begin ground testing in the next few days.

The Air Force’s first Viper squadron was formed in September. This is the 343rd “Αστέρι” squadron, which has 13 modernized F-16s, and now these fighters, leaving the NAB hangars, join the 340th “Αλεπού” squadron. Each of the four Viper squadrons will initially receive 13 aircraft and then upgrade the remaining fighters, according to Air Force headquarters’ plan.

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