Iniochos 2025

Report and photos by Gabriele Rivera

April 29, 2025

Greece has been one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world for years. In recent years, the mass of tourists interested in Greek culture and the crystal-clear waters of its islands has been joined by a growing number of a particular category of tourists, overloaded with photographic equipment, often interested in places outside the normal tourist circuit. Take for example Andravida, a rural town in the western part of the Peloponnese peninsula, which in recent years has seen a significant increase in tourist presence during a couple of weeks in spring, when the Hellenic Air Force stages the Iniochos exercise, of which the local air base is the operational hub.

The Spotter Day organized by the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) on the occasion of this exercise, held on April 7th at the same time as the Media Day and the DV (Distinguished Visitors) Day, attracted a record number of over 1,000 spotters; the reasons for such a massive participation will soon become clear.

The Iniochos exercise, initiated by the HAF in the late 1980s, began as a national-level tactical training program aimed at enhancing the readiness and coordination of Greek combat squadrons. Conducted by the Air Tactics Center (ATC) at Andravida Air Base, the exercise focused on realistic, scenario-based missions within Greek airspace.

In its early years, Iniochos involved limited assets and simple air-to-air and air-to-ground mission profiles. However, by the early 2000s, the exercise underwent a significant transformation. Driven by a growing emphasis on joint and combined operations, Iniochos began incorporating more complex scenarios and an increasing number of Greek military branches, including the Hellenic Army and Navy.

The most pivotal shift occurred in 2015, when Iniochos was officially internationalized. The exercise opened up to allied and partner air forces, rapidly expanding its scope and complexity. From that point onward, Iniochos grew into a premier multinational training event in southeastern Europe. Participating nations have included the United States, France, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Spain, and others, each contributing advanced fighter jets, support aircraft, and personnel.

Modern Iniochos editions are characterized by their high-intensity, real-world combat scenarios. They include full-spectrum missions such as SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses), CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue), air interdiction, electronic warfare, and dynamic targeting.

Today, Iniochos stands as one of Europe’s most respected multinational air exercises, fostering operational readiness, interoperability, and strategic cooperation among NATO and partner countries.

The multinational air exercise Iniochos 2025 was held from March 31 to April 11 at Andravida Air Base in Greece, «Iniochos 2025» marked the largest participation of air forces since the establishment of the exercise as an INVITEX (Invitation Exercise), with a total of 12 countries actively participating.

Participating Nations and Units:

• Greece: Hellenic Air Force deployed F-16s from 330, 335, 336, 343, and 347 Mira; Mirage 2000-5s from 331 Mira; Rafale DG/EG from 332 Mira; and F-4E (AUP) Phantoms from 338 Mira. The Hellenic Army and Navy also contributed assets and personnel to the exercise.
• France: Armée de l’Air deployed Mirage 2000D aircraft, EC 01.003 Navarre and EC 02.003 Champagne, stationed at BA 133 Nancy-Ochey.
• India: Indian Air Force deployed Su-30MKI-3 fighters, No. 8 Sqn, Trishul AFB, Bareilly, supported by IL-78 aerial refueling aircraft and a C-17 transport plane.
• Israel: Israeli Air Force contributed a Gulfstream G550 “Eitam” aircraft from the 122nd Squadron, Nevatim.
• Italy: Italian Air Force participated with Tornado aircraft, IDS (154° Gruppo) and ECR (155° Gruppo), 6^th Stormo, Ghedi.
• Montenegro: Montenegro Air Force deployed a Bell 412EP helicopter.
• Poland: Polish Air Force participated with F-16C aircraft, 31 BLT, Poznan-Krzesiny.
• Qatar: Qatar Emiri Air Force contributed F-15QA aircraft, Flying Wing 5, Al Udaid.
• Slovenia: Slovenian Air Force deployed two PC-9M aircraft, 152 LEESK, Cerklje ob Krki AB.
• Spain: Spanish Air Force participated with FA-18C+ aircraft, ALA 46, Gando.
• United Arab Emirates: UAE Air Force contributed Mirage 2000-9 aircraft, 76^th Sqn, Al Dhafra.
• United States: U.S. Air Force participated with F-16C fighters, 93^rd Fighter Squadron, 482^nd Fighter Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, Homestead ARB, FL, supported by KC-46 and KC-135 refueling aircraft.

Additionally, Austria and Cyprus provided supporting personnel, while Slovakia and Bahrain sent observer delegations.

Iniochos 2025 reportedly marked Qatar’s first participation in this specific exercise alongside Israel. While both nations took part in the U.S.-hosted Red Flag exercise in 2016, their military cooperation has been limited due to historical tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel have previously engaged in several joint military exercises, reflecting their evolving defense cooperation, especially after signing the Abraham Accords in 2020.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in Exercise Iniochos for the first time in 2023, marking a key milestone in its collaboration with European air forces. This participation aimed to provide valuable training in the planning and execution of combined air operations within complex combat scenarios, while also offering insights into operational best practices.

The exercise also sought to enhance operational readiness, refine tactical capabilities, and strengthen international cooperation, synergy, and interoperability with other participating air forces. This engagement reflects India’s commitment to global defense partnerships and its emphasis on achieving operational excellence through joint exercises with friendly nations.

For spotters, the Indian participation was an unmissable opportunity to capture images of the Sukhoi 30MKI, certainly one of the most advanced versions currently in service with non-Russian air forces.

Other subjects of certain interest were the F15QAs of the Qatar Emiri Air Force. Last year, those who had participated in the RIAT had the opportunity to evaluate their performance; the spotters present at Andravida were able to capture further images of this splendid aircraft.

The USAF participation also had interesting aspects; accustomed to the presence of F16s from units stationed in Europe, it was a nice surprise to be able to photograph the Vipers of the Florida Makos. Among them another gem for the cameras, an F-16C assigned to the 706^th Aggressor Squadron ‘Cajuns’, 926^th Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, Nellis AFB, NV.

And of course how can we forget that Andravida offers one of the last opportunities to photograph the Phantoms once again? One might think that their presence alone would be enough to register record turnouts!

Throughout the exercise, approximately 1,300 sorties were conducted within the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR), encompassing a wide range of missions such as air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, night operations, and advanced simulations. The integration of various air defense systems, helicopters, transport, and training aircraft, along with the involvement of army and navy units, contributed to the creation of complex and realistic scenarios across the Greek mainland and sea. Concurrently, missions were also carried out using the Tactical Simulators of F-16 aircraft at the Operational Synthetic Training Squadron of the Hellenic Air Tactics Center, expanding the exercise into the digital domain.

In order to achieve the objectives of the Exercise, the ATC oversees the missions from scenario planning to debriefing and makes certain that they cover the full spectrum of missions currently performed by the HAF such as:

1. Air operations versus Integrated Air Defense System (IADS)
2. Offensive Counter Air / Airfield Attack
3. Air Interdiction / Special Targets (bridges, power stations, vehicles, etc.)
4. Anti-Surface Warfare
5. Slow Mover Protection (SLOMO)
6. Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR)
7. Dynamic Targeting (DT) / Strike Coordination and Reconnaissance (SCAR) / Close Air Support (CAS) / Time Sensitive Targets (TST)
8. High Value Airborne Asset (HVAA) Protect/Attack

Iniochos 2025 reinforced Greece’s role as a pivotal hub for regional and international defense cooperation, providing a platform for sharing tactical insights among NATO and partner nations. The exercise’s comprehensive approach and broad international participation underscored its significance in advancing collective security and operational excellence.

Next year, the exercise may not be held at Andravida, if at all; the base is expected to undergo major renovations in preparation for the arrival of the F-35s. Some rumors suggest that it could move to Larissa, in the northeast of the country; seeming unlikely that the HAF would be willing to interrupt a training experience that has so far enjoyed great success among the units involved.