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Phantom town Greece

Visit to Andravida AFB 06-05-2009

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.
	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.



The 338 Squadron was formed on December 24 1952, at Elefsis airbase, like the 339 Fighter Bomber Squadron it was equipped with F-84G Thunderjet aircraft. In April 1953, it redeployed to Larissa where it stayed till November 1956. In May 1958 it was incorporated into the 115 CW at Souda till January 1960 when it was disbanded. In August 1953 it was reformed as the 338 Fighter Bomber Squadron at 115CW and armed with the F-84F Thunderstreak. In June 1974 it redeployed at 117CW Andravida where the F-4E Phantom II were delivered. After the modernization, the Squadron aircraft assumed fighter bomber missions, with results comparable to those of third generation aircraft

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.

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.

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.