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Home of the last Corsair II Squadron |
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Visit to Araxos AFB 06-05-2009 |
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Araxos started as a auxiliary military airfield,
that was
constructed in the area in 1939. Construction of the current
base began around 1958 and it became operational in 1962. The
base is currently used by the 116 Combat Wing of the Hellenic Air Force.
The 116 Combat Wing consist off two Squadrons, 335 and 336. Also
based is a AB205A off 358 MED
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336 Squadron “Olympos”, was
established for the 1st time, on February 25, 1943 at the
“Landing Ground 219″ airport near Cairo, Egypt. Its first name
was 336 “Hellenic Royal Fighter Bomber Squadron”. The squadron
was initially equipped with 21 Hurricane.
In May 1945 it redeploys to Greece at Sedes airport in
Thessaloniki. In February 1949 the 336 Sqn redeploys to Larissa
and is integrated to the of 110CW force. In August 24 it is
equipped with the Helldiver vertical attack fighter-bomber,
changing its role to Light Bomber Squadron. Following this, it
is equipped with the F-84G at Elefsis airport, while at the same
time it is renamed to 336 Fighter Bomber Squadron. On December
28 1953, it redeploys to Nea Anchialos. In 1958 it replaces the
F-84G with the new F-84F and in March 1959 it redeploys firstly
to 110 CW and then to 116 CW on December 4 1962. On September 25
1963 it is renamed to 336 Strike Squadron.
On January 15 1965, the 336 Strike Sqn with F-104G aircraft is
moved to 114CW and at the same time the part of 336 Sqn with the
F-84F stays to 116CW. On December 23 1966, the 336 Strike Sqn
with the F-104G is moved back from 114 CW to 116 CW.
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335 Squadron “Tiger”, is the
oldest squadron of the Hellenic Air Force, as it was established
, in October 1941 at the Palestinian airport of Akir.
The squadron was initially equipped with the fighter aircraft
Hurricane-IIB. In October 1953 the 335 Squadron is renamed to
335 Fighter Bomber Squadron and became the first Squadron that
replaced the propeller aircraft with jets, the F-84G and RT-33A
type, in Elefsis airport.
It redeployed to 111CW and stayed there until September 1957.
Thereafter it redeploys to 110 CW at Larissa and was based there
until May 1960, while being equipped with the F-84F since autumn
1957. In November 1960 the 335FB Squadron assumes strike role
and redeploys at Tanagra. The reception of F-104G Starfighter
aircraft starts in May 1965, and in June 30 1977, the squadron
redeploys to 116 CW at Araxos. From May 1965 until May 1992 it
flew with the F-104Gs. On April 3 1993, it is renamed to 335
Bomber Squadron and receives the 2nd generation aircraft A-7E
and TA-7C Corsair, which where part of a set of 62 aircraft
delivered by the USA. 335 Squadron stopped flying the A-7 in
2008 in preparation for the F-16 Block 52+
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| The Hellenic Air
Force bombing ability was increased with the A-7 aircraft, because of their
great capability to carry a heavy weapon load to long distances and deliver
it to the target with satisfactory accuracy. And the A-7 is still a force to
recon with today. It is not known when 336 squadron will trade its A-7's for
a new type.
The first four F-16
Block 52+ Advanced for 335 squadron arrived on May 22 2009 at Araxos. These aircrafts are a
part of the total Peace Xenia IV program between the Hellenic Air Force and
Lockheed Martin. At the end 20 single seated and 10 double seated F-16 Block
52+ Advanced will come to Araxos Air Base and will equip 335 Squadron.
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| We would like to thank the following persons for their help in arranging the visit; the Public relation office of
Hellinic Air Force and the staff at Araxos who escorted us during the
visit and made sure we saw everything we wanted. |
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