“INIOCHOS 2024” multinational AIR FORCE exercise kicks off in Greece (videos)

With 36 aircraft from 9 countries, the largest multinational aviation exercise “INIOCHOS 2024” kicked off in Greece. The exercise started on Monday, April 8, and will last until Thursday, April 18.

📍Andravida Air Base

Take off #INIOCHOS24 🇬🇷 Jets. Fight is ON!!! pic.twitter.com/dzwQPfPw9M

— Hellenic Air Force (@HAFspokesperson) April 9, 2024

Based at the 117th Combat Wing, at the Andravida Air Base, Peloponnese, the exercise is conducted in the wider area of the Athens FIR.

Countries participating with aircraft, equipment and personnel are:

● France with RAFALE aircraft and AEW E-3F aircraft
● United Kingdom with TYPHOON aircraft
● USA with F-16 aircraft and MQ-9 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
● Spain with F-18s
● Qatar with RAFALE aircraft
● Republic of Cyprus with AW-139 helicopter
● Montenegro with a B-414 helicopter
● Romania with F-16 aircraft
● Saudi Arabia with TYPHOON aircraft

Additionally, Austria and Portugal are participating in the exercise with Intelligence and Special Forces personnel, while Germany will send an observer team.

The Greek  Air Force participates with all its types of combat aircraft, as well as with helicopters, transport and training aircraft (in total, more than 70). Also participating are forces from the Army, Navy and Special Warfare Command, which contribute decisively to the creation of complex and realistic scenarios.

The participation of the air forces of the countries taking part in “Iniochos 2024” exercise is the largest so far, since it was established as INVITEX.

It is noted that between April 1-7 the preparation for the Exercise was carried out, from April 8 the execution phase is underway, which on Wednesday April 17 includes Spotters Day and Friday April 12 the Day of Distinguished Visitors, while the period 19- April 21, the exercise goes into the folding phase.

According to state broadcaster ERT, Monday, April 8, was the day the execution of the scenarios that have already been agreed upon by the participating countries began. The so-called “family” or “familiarization flights” had begun with the arrival of the missions, where the aviators from the allied countries had the opportunity to experience the “terrain masking” in the dream environment offered by the canyon Vouraikou. The low-altitude crossing into the canyon is an exercise that one could describe as “flying under the radar” with the help of cover provided by the massif.

Low Level Flying Royal Saudi Air Force Eurofgther at Iniochos 2024.