History Of Hellenic Air Force(HAF) Part 2/2

History Of Hellenic Air Force 1940-2000

The Hellenic Air Force's activities continued unabated during the offensive struggle too, while the large Spring attack of March 1941 was confronted successfully. The German invasion and the unequal (as realised from the begining) conflict with Luftwaffe did not prevent RHAF pilots from carrying out their duties once again in full.The Hellenic Air Force shot down 64 enemy aircraft while another 24 were claimed, too. Fifty-two dead aviators paid the price of freedom.Immediately after the arrival in the Middle East, of the five Avro Anson, one Dornier Do 22 and three Avro 626 which had escaped, the Hellenic Aviation began to be reorganized under the Ministry of Air Force based in Cairo.Three Hellenic squadrons were set up, namely the 13th Light Bombing Squadron (with Avro Anson, Bristol Blenheim and Martin A-30 Baltimore a/c) as well as the 335 and 336 Fighting Squadrons (with Hawker Hurricane and Submarine Spitfire) which joined, operationally, the allied air forces, operating in common with them. A/C maintenance and repair works as well as an Air Force General Hospital were established in Cairo. High level training was offered to flying and technical personnel at the Greek training centers in S. Rhodesia and S. Africa.The Greek Squadrons' war activities in the Middle East included convoy patrols, antisubmarine search, offensive patrols, reconnaissance, attacks and interceptions of the enemy air force.In November 1950, after the end of the operations of the Civil War, Greece, wishing to assist the United Nations, sent, to South Korea, the 13th Transport Aircraft Flight consisting of seven Douglas C-47 Dakota aircraft as well as 67 officers and soldiers..In 1953, the first Acroteam was raised from No 337 Squadron; with four Thunderjets it participated in many air shows both in Greece and abroad, thus painting world-wide glory and fame. Gradually, four Fighting Bombing Squadrons, namely Nos 336, 338, 339 and 340 were formed with F-84 Gs. In 1954 the F-86 Sabres were delivered and Nos 341, 342 and 343 Interception Squadrons were gradually raised. In the same year the HAF Joint Aerial Photograhy and Interpretation Centre was founded. In 1956 the 114 Combat Wing was established and Nos 341, 342 and 343 F-86s Squadrons were formed. The second acroteam, known as the ''Hellenic Flame'' was raised in August 1957 with F-86Es of No 341. Its aircraft, painted with impressive colours (blue, white and red) continued worthily the first «Acroteam»'s deeds while its pilots were awarded numerous decorations.In 1957 a new type of jet-fighters, the F-84Fs were delivered. No 335 Bombing Squadron was equipped with Thundersteaks and No 348's tactical reconnaissance inventory was strengthened with RF-84F Thunderflashes. In July of the same year, an attachment of No 335 Squadron of Tactical Transport conducted successfully the rescue operation of Greeks abroad in Kongo. In 1960 No 350 «Nike- Hercules» Squadron was created equipped with modern ground/air missiles. The third acroteam, the «New Hellenic Flame», was formed with five F-5s of No 337 in 1967. The HAF inventory was enriched significantly in 1969. In January the Convair F-102 A-40 Delta Daggers were delivered at 114 Combat Wing to replace the F-102s.In 1969 the new Grumman HU-16B Albatros formed No 353 Naval Co-operation Squadron.At the same time the NORD 2501 D Noratlas were delivered as an imperative solution for the accute problem of tactical transportation.In 1970, after the receipt of the Northorp RF-5As No 349 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron was raised at 111 CW, which was until flying with F-84Fs. In April 1974 the first second-generation F-4Es landed at 117 CW. Three Squadrons, Nos 339,338 and 337 were formed with Phantom IIs. In July 1974, No 354 Noratlas Squadron wrote a brilliant page of Hellenic aviation history with the air transportation operation of Greek rangers from Crete to Cyprus. In spite of the ageing aircraft and the adverse flying conditions, 12 of the 15 aircraft which participated in the mission «NIKI», landed on the airport of Nicosia. The shooting down of a Noratlas cost the life of a crew of four and 12 parachutists.1975 was a turning point for the modernisation of the HAF. In the summer of 1975 the first all weather bombing A-7 Corsairs equipped Nos 340, 345 and 347 Squadron of 115 CW.On August 4, 1975 the first two Mirage F-1 CGs landed at 114 CW. Equipped with modern weapon and air navigational systems the F-1s were delivered initially in No 342 and two years later in No 334 Squadrons. In September the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft were disposed to No 356, radically changing the philosophy of tactical transportation.

Source: haf.gr

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[geraki321]

long live HAF!

ZHTW TA GERAKIA MAS!

[mpampis210isback]

apla korufaio !!!!!!!

[siourdontamaro]

@grhaf100 και τα mirage 2000-5 και αν δεν τα χαν κανει η πολιτικοι μπουρδελο τωρα θα χαμε η rafalle η eyrofighter η saab 35 η su 37

[grhaf100]

Σήμερα η αιχμή του δόρατος είναι τα F-16C/D Block 52+ Advanced Fighting Falcon. (=Today the peak of spears are the F-16C / D Block 52 + Advanced Fighting Falcon)

[livadi9]

What are you doing in Kurdistan?

Baby-killing and women-raping.

[oylarMHPye]

barbarians baby killers cyprus gaygreeks

[dimixeni]

yes it is the Noratlass flown from Elefis (112) at 354 MM. These a/c carried the 1st rangers sqdn to Cyprus at the night of 21st to 22nd of July 1974. 15 a/c took off 1 was destroyed, other 3 were left and burned at Nicosia airport and 2 did not finish their mission. 12 a/c landed successfully carried the 1st rangers squadron.

[DENVERTZ007]

ΚΑΛΟ ΑΦΙΕΡΩΜΑ ΑΛΛΑ ΛΙΓΟ

[Etrius92]

okay thank you

[knikol80s]

yes,it looks similar but the Noratlas is lighter and a french design of course. you can immediatelly distinguish them by looking at the fuselage: C-119 is almost square and Noratlas is circular (a real cigar..)

[Etrius92]

could it be that the Noratlas looks very similar to the C-119 ?

[1ztrewq]

GRGELO,

einai monadiko! S' efharisto!!!