This yearly event offers an opportunity to take photographs of the current HAF fleet. It had been quite some years since we last went there, so about time for a re-visit. Having said that, the star visitor was not a Greek aircraft at all...
Surprise....! The Egyptian air force has a long standing relationship with Greece. They both operate Mirage 2000, F-4E Phantom and F-16 aircraft and there relative proximity means that Egyptian aircraft can be found in Greece quite often. Sometimes they stay for months, like the combined task force of Egyptian F-16 units that is at Andravida for a couple of months for joint-training.
Most numerous fighter in the inventory is the F-16 obviously. HAF operates three main variants and a F-16C block 52+ CF from 337 Mira is depicted here.
Originally, the Hellenic Air Force received the block 30 variant, like this one from 330 Mira. Although it is based at Nea Anchialos, this particular photograph was taken at Tanagra.
Next up is a block 52+ of the latest delivered batch of aircraft that replaced the A-7s at Araxos. It looks quite slick in its fresh paintjob, don't you think?
Although the show at Andravida is now known as "the one that had the Egyptian F-16", some creative shots were possible of the other aircraft too, as is shown by this study of F-16C-52+ number 009.
Last F-16, promise... As you can see, demo-aircraft Zeus is not the only one with a special paint-job. This 335 Mira 'Tigris' F-16D-52+ CF carries tiger markings. The droptanks and conformal fuel tanks can be exchanged and do not mess up the main airframe's camouflage, smart move.
One of the last Mirages 2000s ever built is this 2000-5EG serial number 555. With its acclaimed RDY radar this is a very potent companion to the F-16 fleet. Based at Tanagra with 331 Mira it is parked at Andravida here.
Larisa houses the recce Spooks. This aircraft, 71765, is one of their original deliveries in a very nice camouflage pattern that is becoming very rare these days.
The remaining F-4Es all went through the Avionics Upgrade Programme which meant that it can still play a significant role in todays theatre.
Unsung hero of Greece is surely the CL-215. Together with the turboprop-equipped CL-415, they work hard every year to combat bush fires, preserving the vast natural riches of Greece.
Another work horse is of course the Hercules.They have been augmented by C-27J transports, or baby-Hercules, too.
A tribute to the Hellenic air force is not complete without showing the A-7. For many years this beauty graced the Greek skies and they were withdrawn from their last operating base, Araxos, in October 2014. This TA-7C still looks great though.