2024-04-02 19:00:31
The countdown to the start of the “Hiniochos 24” air exercise has begun, the first phase of which takes place on Monday. This is an important crash test in view of the organization of the large NATO exercise “Rammstein Flag” which Greece will host for the first time next October.
“Iniochos” gathers for one more year the interest of air forces from Europe and beyond, while forces of the Army, the Navy and the Special Warfare Command will take part in the exercise scenarios.
Eurofighter from Great Britain and Saudi Arabia, Rafale from France and Qatar, F-16 from Romania and the United States, F-18 from Spain, as well as Search and Rescue helicopters from Cyprus and Montenegro will provide the “present” in “Hinochos”.
Although Israel canceled its participation for operational reasons, the 117th Fighter Wing of Andravida will be stationed by aircraft from nine countries, a record number for the data of the exercise. Eurofighter from Great Britain and Saudi Arabia, Rafale from France and Qatar, F-16 from Romania and the United States, F-18 from Spain, as well as Search and Rescue helicopters from Cyprus and Montenegro will provide the “present” in “Hinochos”.
In addition, a French E-3F flying radar and American MQ-9 Reaper drones will take part in the exercise. Austria and Portugal will participate with intelligence and Special Forces personnel and Germany with observers. From the Greek side, all the fighter squadrons of the Air Force, transport and training aircraft will take part, while the air defense elements will also be activated.
War scenarios
In this year’s exercise, Rafales are expected to play a leading role in combined defensive and offensive operations. In other words, they are going to assume the role of aggressor and impose a denial of territory on the “enemy” forces. For the first time in fact, “bursts” from three different air forces (Greece, France, Qatar) will be in the sky of the Aegean demonstrating their special flying abilities and powerful weapons.
The Air Force’s F-16 Vipers, which will use the 115th Fighter Wing in Crete as a base, will also have an upgraded role. Military sources tell “K” that “Hiniochos” is a first-class opportunity to test new operational plans and systems, such as the operation of the Viper and Rafale AESA-type radars in a multi-threat environment.
Of particular interest are the areas of the exercise that occupy large parts of the Athens FIR. Some of the “Iniochos” scenarios, especially those related to naval strikes and air battles, will take place in the eastern Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean, while, according to the relevant NOTAMs, sectors will be activated in Kastelorizo between April 8 and 18 and Lemnos.
Missions designed by the School of Tactical Weapons (TSW) include offensive and defensive operations against air forces, strategic air operations, support of naval and land forces, and reconnaissance missions. In addition, combat search and rescue missions, time-sensitive target engagements, and high operational value target protection missions are planned.
Scenarios of the exercise will also be carried out in cyberspace, using tactical F-16 simulators of the Air Tactic Center’s Operational Synthetic Training Squadron, which a few months ago also made its “debut” in an inter-allied exercise.
“Iniochos” is the prelude to the NATO “Rammstein Flag”, the largest air exercise to be organized by the Air Force.
“Iniochos” is the prelude to the NATO “Rammstein Flag”, the largest air exercise to be organized by the Air Force. The leadership of the Air Staff is closely monitoring the preparations for the exercise, which is expected to develop into an unprecedented display of power by the allied forces.
From September 30th to October 11th, the Athens FIR will be flooded with fighter and transport planes that will test the reflexes of NATO forces in every possible scenario. More than 15 F-35s from the United States and Italy are expected to redeploy to Araxos and Andravida, the two bases that will be activated for the needs of the exercise. According to information, Spain will participate with Eurofighter, France with Rafale, Portugal, Romania and Poland with F-16, while Hungary and Sweden will take part with Gripen. Transport aircraft from Canada, NATO flying radars (AWACS) and all the means of the Air Force will also be present.
It is worth noting that Turkey has also accepted the invitation to participate in Rammstein Flag. However, in order for the Turkish F-16s to enter the Athens FIR and reposition at the Air Force airports, they will have to submit a flight plan, recognizing Greek jurisdiction over areas that Ankara has long disputed. Similar attempts in the past resulted in the cancellation of Turkey’s participation, while in the NATO “Tiger Meet 22” organized in Araxos, the Greek side withdrew the invitation to Ankara due to the tense atmosphere and aggressive behavior of its neighbors in the Aegean.
Source kathimerini.gr