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Phantom town Greece |
Visit to Andravida AFB 06-05-2009 |
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In 1955 the first works started at
Andravida in this cold war period new airfields where build al
over Europe.
With the works completed , the 117 Combat Group was formed in
March 1961.
339 Squadron was assigned to the Combat Group with F-84F
aircraft, coming from Elefsis Airbase. Followed by 338 Squadron
in 1974. In May 1969, the 117 Combat Group was renamed to 117
Combat Wing and was chosen for the reception of new fighter F-4E
(PHANTOM). For this purpose the airfield infrastructure was
upgraded to resave the new aircraft. In 1991, between August and
November, the delivery of 28 new F-4E SRA aircraft was
completed. A other unit transferred to Andravida is the fighter
weapons school. With the latest upgrades for the F-4, Andravida
will be a F-4 field for some time still.
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The 339 All Weather Squadron was
formed on July 7 1952, at Elefsis airbase, as the 339 Fighter
Bomber Squadron equipped with F-84G aircraft.
In August 1959 the Squadron received the new F-84F and
redeployed to Larissa airbase. In April 1960 it redeployed to
the Nea Anchialos airport at 111 Combat Wing. In March 1971 it
redeployed to Andravida airport at 117 Combat Wing where it is
based till today. In 1973 it redeployed temporarily to Araxos
airport as works where done at Andravida for the reception of
the F-4E Phantom II.
339 Sqn returns and integrates the new aircraft at the same time
is was renamed to 339 All Weather Intercept Squadron. In the
period after its main role off the Fighter Bomber mission
switches to the Intercept in February 1982.
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To keep these aircraft capable in
modern air warfare it was necessary to fit upgrades. In the
Peace Icarus 2000 programme. Upgrades include a new Hughes
AN/APG-65Y radar with enhanced power output and improved
modulation correlation. The phantom received software
integration for the latest smart weapons and AIM-120 AMRAAM, the
upgrade will lengthen the operational service until 2015 and
enhanced its capabilities greatly. Both Air Defence and and
tactical operations are done by the phantoms of Andravida. |
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Also based at Andravida is SOT, the
Greek Tactical Weapons School.
This units uses the following types F-4E, Mirage 2000BG/EG,
(T)A-7C/E/H and F-16C/D all drawn from active units.
Like in other countries the unit train the pilots in the
different weapons systems and tactic's. |
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We would like to thank the following persons for their help in arranging the visit; the Public relation office of
Hellenic Air Force and the staff at Andravida who escorted us during the
visit. |
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