Air-to-air photo-ops report. Athens Flying Week 2024 at Tanagra Air Base
Report and photography by Peter van den Berg
October 27, 2024
Last September marked the 12th edition of Athens Flying Week (AFW), an event known for featuring an impressive array of military and civilian participants from Europe and the Middle East. It offered another great chance to witness the Hellenic Armed Forces in action, showcasing their diverse capabilities. For me, this event provided some unique air-to-air photo opportunities, bringing the action up close and personal.
The AFW 2024 edition took place on September 14 and 15, but I had the privilege of photographing most of the participants in the three days leading up to the event, with aerial support from a Skyvan. On Tuesday, September 10th, I joined an additional sunset flight with two F-4Es of the 338 MVD out of Andravida AB. Beyond the event’s foreign participants, the Greek Air Force made several appearances during our air-to-air photo sessions.
Like in previous editions, AFW 2024 took place at the Hellenic Tanagra Air Force Base, located about 60 miles northwest of Athens. Tanagra is the base for the Hellenic Air Force’s newest aircraft, the Rafale EG/DG, with around 12 of them now assigned to the 322 Mira squadron. The base is also home to the 331 Mira squadron, operating the Mirage 2000-5BG/EGs which I managed to capture during a stunning sunset flight.
Tuesday September 10th.
F-4E-AUP 71745 & 01503 of 338 MDV.
Not knowing whether the sunset flights could take place, we were flown from Tanagra to Andravida with the Skyvan. Thunderstorms in the area left us in uncertainty. Upon arrival at Andravida, we were welcomed by the pilots of 338 Mira, and after the briefing, they confirmed that the flights were go. Two F-4E-AUP jets fulfilled their promise. During the sunset flight, we had the opportunity to capture these beautiful aircraft in stunning light.
Currently, these Phantoms from 338 MDV Mira Dioxis Vomvardismou (Fighter Bomber Squadron), nicknamed “Ares,” and part of the 117th Combat Wing, are expected to keep flying until 2027. Andravida is set to become the base for the F-35A in the future. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the F-4E in the Hellenic Air Force.
Meeting ‘’The Smoker’’
Altitude: 5,000ft.
Airspeed: 155kts.
Once airborne, we met up with the “smoker” of the Hellenic Air Force. This F-4E belongs to the 338 Squadron, stationed at Andravida. The 339 Squadron, which also operated the F-4, was disbanded in 2017, and its remaining F-4E-AUPs were transferred to 338. According to the pilots, the F-4 is expected to continue flying with the HAF for a couple more years. These aircraft have been in service since 1974, and in 1998, it was decided to upgrade 39 F-4E Phantom IIs. The first one of these upgraded jets, nicknamed “Spoke”, was delivered to Andravida Air Base in December of 2002.
Keeping up with the Skyvan
With the F-16s and Rafales slated to replace them, the phase-out of the F-4 units began in 2017. However, these jets remain operational today, conducting multi-role missions with the 338 Mira “Ares” squadron at Andravida. The F-4E Phantom II PI2000 (AUP) is certified to use GBU-27 Paveway III laser-guided bombs, making it an effective and modern platform for precision strikes. During our flight, the F-4 managed to maintain a speed of 155 knots—surprisingly slow for a Phantom!
All upgraded F-4s were equipped with the new AN/APQ-65YG radar, similar to the one used in the F/A-18 Hornet. They also received a new built-in Mission Control Computer (MCC), a head-up display, and an IFF Interrogator. The avionics were upgraded to support a variety of advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, including the AIM-120 AMRAAM (limited to the -B version), the AIM-9M missile, AFDS, as well as the aforementioned Paveway-family of bombs.
Wednesday September 11th.
M-346B 254 362 MEA “Nestor” Greece AF
T-6A 036 120 PEA Greece AF
F-4E AUP 01522 01518 338 MDV Greece AF
PC-7 3H-FK 3H-FC LabtFläFlz Austria AF
Rafale EG 452 413 332 MPK Greece AF
Mirage 2000-5EG 547 549 331 Mira Greece AF
Air-to-air
Early in the morning, we departed from Andravida towards Kalamata, where the HAF’s training unit is stationed. The 120 PEA joined the NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) Pilot Training Alliance in January 2023. The T-2E and T-2C Buckeyes of 362 MEA and 363 MEA (120 PEA) were withdrawn from service following the fatal crash of T-2C 158904 on December 27, 2023.
The Master 346B and the T-6 showcased their capabilities during this air-to-air flight. During our fuel stop in Kalamata, we had the chance to speak with the pilots. One of them mentioned that he had transitioned from the F-4E to become a trainer on the M-346. He explained that the Phantom would soon be retired, and this opportunity arose… a future-oriented choice. Currently, 362 MEA operates seven Masters. These M-346A Block 5+ aircraft, with a maximum speed of 0.95 Mach, have been in service with the Hellenic Air Force since 2023. The HAF hopes to have all ten ordered Masters in operation by May 2025.
After the fuel stop in Kalamata, the air-to-air program continued with two Phantoms from 338 Mira, heading to Tanagra for Athens Flying Week.
Austria is a regular participant at AFW, and this time they brought two PC-7s from the Pilot School, known as Lehrabteilung Flächen Flugzeuge, stationed at Zeltweg Air Base. Austria originally purchased 16 of these aircraft, of which 13 are still operational.
Personal highlight
Then, at the end of the day came a personal highlight for me: Mirages on a sunset flight from Tanagra, accompanied by two Rafales. The Mirages are set to leave the HAF very soon and are flying fewer and fewer missions, with the Rafale set to take over their role. With the HAF having received their first six Rafales in 2021, the last aircraft are slated for delivery in January of 2025. The Greek Air Force will get one Dassault-built aircraft each month. Once the new jets arrive, Greece will have a total of 24 Rafales in its fleet, all stationed at Tanagra Air Base.
Additionally, Greek officials are considering ordering another 12 Rafales to establish two tactical wings of 18 aircraft each. These Rafales will be the most advanced aircraft in Greece’s arsenal until the arrival of 20 US-made F-35s, with the first F-35 expected to land at Andravida AB in 2028.
The Mirage 2000 is a French single-seat, single-engine, delta-wing multirole fighter, capable of all-weather operations. It entered service with the HAF in 1988, following the controversial purchase of 40 aircraft under the “Talos” contract. The Mirage 2000 can carry a wide array of modern weapon systems and is primarily used by the Hellenic Air Force as an interceptor and for targeting enemy ships, thanks to its compatibility with the EXOCET missile. These aircraft operate with the 331 Squadron, part of the 114 Combat Wing at Tanagra Air Base. Currently, 19 Mirage 2000-EGs and 5 Mirage 2000-BGs are still on the active roster, though it is unclear if all are in flying condition.
Thursday September 12th.
P2002JF 338 360MEA Greece AF
T-41D 69-7192 360MEA Greece AF
Rafale-B 309/4-HB ec 02.004 (SPA-81) France AF
Rafale-B 327/4-HZ ec 01.004 (SPA-37) France AF
Rafale-B 328/4-IC ec 01.004 (SAL-28) France AF
EF-2000 31+46 TLG 31 German AF
Patrulla Águila (Eagle Patrol) C-101 Spanish AF
CL-415GR 2052 383 MEEA Greece AF
The Hellenic Air Force
The Hellenic Air Force uses the P2002-JF for the initial training of new cadets in the HAF Academy. The light aircraft is a low-wing, single-engine two-seater manufactured by the Italian company Tecnam and was introduced in the early 2000s. The HAF acquired its first P2002-JF in October 2018 to replace the T-41D aircraft, with three additional units received in June 2019, bringing the total to 12. The P2002-JF is operated by the 360 Air Training Squadron, based at Dekeleia Air Base, under the call sign “Thales.”
The T-41 is a single-engine, propeller-driven aircraft that has served the Hellenic Air Force for decades as an initial training platform for new pilots. It has completed over 200,000 flight hours, demonstrating its reliability. The first T-41s were built in the mid-1960s in the United States, and their ongoing production attests to their durability. Like the P2002-JF, the T-41 also belonged to the 360 Air Training Squadron at Dhekelia AB.
France, Germany & Spain
The French Air Force was well represented with three Rafale-B jets from Saint Dizier BA-113. The Rafales also participated in the airshow on September 14 and 15. The French military has placed an order of over €5 billion with aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation and partners Thales, Safran, and MBDA for an additional 42 Rafale fighter jets, which are scheduled to be delivered between 2027 and 2032.
This marks the fifth batch of fighter jets from the Rafale program for France, bringing the total to 234 aircraft—13 ordered in 1993, 48 in 1999, 59 in 2004, 60 in 2009, 12 in 2021, and now 42 in 2023. The 42 Rafales will come in the ‘’standard 4’’ configuration but can be upgraded to ‘’standard 5’’, which is expected to be introduced in the mid-2030s, particularly to enable the Rafale to operate in collaborative combat with remotely piloted aircraft, according to the French procurement agency DGA. Dassault began developing ‘’standard 4’’ in 2018, focusing on improved connectivity.
The German Air Force was represented by a Eurofighter from TLG 31 in Nörvenich. This unit, also known as “Boelcke,” is responsible for Air Interdiction, Offensive Counter Air, and Close Air Support.
On this busy air-to-air day, Team Aguila also took to the skies in the afternoon. The “Patrulla Águila” is a Spanish Air Force aerobatic display team. The team consists of 12 Spanish-built CASA C-101 Aviojet training jets, although only seven actually perform in airshows with the others serving as back-up or spare.
Thursday’s closing act
The Thursday concluded with an impressive flight alongside the CL-415GR. This aircraft is the successor to the Canadair CL-215 and is primarily used for firefighting tasks, as well as search and rescue missions. It features significantly improved capabilities compared to its predecessor, with the ability to carry 5,455 liters of water in just 12 seconds. During our flight, this Canadair performed two scoops and drops. Experiencing this during sunset was a fantastic opportunity and great show from a crew who regularly risk their lives to combat the numerous wildfires in Greece. The CL-415GR is stationed at the 113 Combat Wing, 383 Squadron “Proteas,” at Thessaloniki Air Force Base.
Friday September 13th
F-4E AUP 71745 338 MVD Greece AF
S-70B PN61 2MEN Greece Navy
MH-60R PN77 2MEN Greece Navy
PC-7 TEAM Swiss AF
F-35A MM7364/32-15 13 Gruppo Italian AF
Final day F-4 action.
The last day of this air-to-air adventure began with a “Smoker” again, the Phantom from Andravida Air Base. Next, it was the Navy’s turn with helicopters of the 2MEN. The Navy currently operates eight S-70B-6 and three S-70B helicopters, along with a number of older AB212s. In 2025, they will receive the last four of a total of seven MH60R helicopters that will replace the remaining AB212s. Greece is considering increasing the number of MH60Rs by placing additional orders. It is hoping to equip its new and modernized marine fleet, such as the FDI frigates, the new corvettes (ongoing competition), and the Hydra-class frigates, which will undergo a Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU), with the most advanced variant of Lockheed Martin’s Seahawk family.
Swiss PC-7 TEAM
The PC-7 stunt team of the Swiss Air Force was the next visitor behind the Skyvan. They executed the transitions from one formation to another with great discipline. What began in 1989 has evolved in many ways. The PC-7s are now equipped with a smoke system, have been repainted, and the program has become more diverse. The pilots of the PC-7 TEAM serve full-time in one of the three F/A-18 squadrons of the Swiss Air Force, either in Payerne or Meiringen, logging approximately 110 flight hours per year on the Hornet. In this capacity, they play a crucial role in fulfilling the Swiss Air Force’s mission, which includes safeguarding air sovereignty and ensuring continuous air policing over Switzerland. The fact that the PC-7 TEAM pilots all fly fighter jets full-time while performing demonstration flying as an additional task is a rarity worldwide, highlighting the exceptional capabilities of the Swiss Air Force.
Italian F-35
The last performer of this fantastic air-to-air event was the Italian F-35A of the 13° Gruppo Caccia Terreste. Part of the 12° Stormo, this F-35A came from Amendola AB. Mentioned on its coat of arms is the Gruppo’s motto: ‘’A testa sotto’’ or ‘’head down’’. Referring to the famous 1605 novel of Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes in which, with his head down, every evil force is brought down.
Italy has already ordered 90 F-35s: 60 F-35A for the Air Force, 15 F-35B for the Air Force as well, and 15 F-35B for the Navy. Last month, an order was placed to respectively expand the fleet with an additional 15 F-35A’s, 5 more F-35B’s and 5 F-35B’s.
“This year’s edition displayed both some true air power and the impressive skills of the pilots involved. On the hunt for years, a personal highlight for me was the chance to finally capture the Greek Mirages—unforgettable and in stunning light conditions.”
Special thanks to Eric Coeckelberg of Aviation PhotoCrew.
In addition to publishing books, Peter is working as a teacher for senior secondary vocational education.
Peter uses Nikon equipment.
Peter can be reached at: [email protected]