In the north of Athens, one can easily locate the main helicopter base of the Greek Navy, Kotroni Naval Air Station, situated on a hilltop overlooking the town of Marathon and the nearby Aegean Sea. In 1986, the Naval Aviation School was inaugurated to train crews for the new AB-212s. The unit, divided into two flights, also operated some Alouette IIIs. By 1996, the first S-70B-6 Aegean Hawk helicopters were delivered to Kotroni. During 2013, the last Alouette IIIs were taken out of service, leaving the AB-212s and S-70Bs in two squadrons, namely 1 MEN Mira Elikopteron Naftikou (MEN), or 1st Navy Helicopter Squadron with their AB-212 and 2 MEN flying the Aegean Hawk. Additionally, the base hosts a Coast Guard unit. Vayu Aerospace & Defence Review spoke with the AB-212 pilot and Base Commander Lt. Col. Savvatis, shortly before he moved on a new posting in Brussels, Belgium.
1 MEN
Originally, the Hellenic Navy operated the AB-212 in two types; the former Electronic Warfare (EW) version and the current Anti- Submarine Warfare (ASW) variant. Lt. Col. Savvatis explained that for seabased operations, the AB-212 is equipped with variable depth sonar, a surface surveillance radar, an Automated Identify System (AIS) for detection and tracking of enemy surface targets and a Sapphire II Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system. Last three roles are mainly for Anti Surface Warfare (ASuW). The AB-212 fleet is further equipped with the OCTOPUS, a self-developed tactical system which combines a GPS moving map with signals from sonar, radar, AIS and FLIR into one overall view. The AB-212 can be armed with Mk.46 mod 3/5 ASW torpedoes and a MG-3 gun. The AB-212 crew consists of a pilot, co-pilot and a radar operator positioned in the Combat Intelligence Center (CIC) in the cabin. This trio can is accompanied by a gunner or mechanic.
2 MEN
The other squadron, 2 MEN, was formed in 1995 prior to delivery of the S-70B-6s, as Lt. Col. Savvatis explained. Originally, eight helicopters were ordered, but by 2005, another three ‘improved’ Aegean Hawks were delivered. The S-70s are fitted, besides the similar equipment and weapons of the AB-212s, with a Helicopter Long-Range Active Sonar (HELRAS) and can further conduct passive EW. The three latest acquired S-70Bs (to be recognised on their serial PN-59 to PN-61) are installed with a Raytheon AN/AAS-44 FLIR system for Air-to-Surface attack of targets with Hellfire or Penguin guided missiles. Further upgrades also include LCD cockpit monitors (glass cockpit), which runs a Rockwell Collins Flight Management System (FMS), a BAE ALE- 47 Countermeasure Dispensing System and improvements on GPS/INS navigation and Electronic Support Measures.
The main missions for S-70B helicopters of 2 MEN are ASuW and ASW. Secondary missions includes Search & Rescue (SAR), Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) and Special Operations Forces (SOF). The S-70 crew includes a pilot, a copilot, added with a tactical coordinator/ operator and an acoustic sensor operator. Depending on the type of mission, the crew can be rearranged by inclusion of a hoist operator and a rescue swimmer, according to Lt. Col. Savvatis.
Hellenic Coast Guard
In 2005, the Hellenic Coast Guard based 6 Sud-Aerospatiale SA-365 N3 Dauphin helicopters at Kotroni NAS for training and maintenance. Coast Guard operations are flown from various detachment locations throughout the country to control and monitor the immense Greek coastal lines. The Helicopter Coast Guard is, although acting as an independent organisation, placed within the operational and administrative command structure of the Command Hellenic Naval Helicopters (COMHELNAVHEL), alongside 1 and 2 MEN.
Modernisation
Withdrawl of the Alouette III immediately impacted the capacity for liaison and training tasks. Although partially absorbed by the remaining helicopters, it was also obvious that the AB-212, serving since the 1980’s, had to be taken into account for near-future replacement. By summer 2019, the US State Department announced that it had approved a Greek request for seven Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin built MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters. The deal would also include equipment, spare parts, armament and personnel training and trainings equipment at an estimated value of $600 million. The helicopters are to be fitted with Airborne Low Frequency System (ALFS), Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems, embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) /Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) with Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM). Additional equipment and armaments were specified to include sonobuoys (AN/SSQ-36/53/62), a pair AGM-114 M36-E9 Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM), some AGM-114Q Hellfire Air-to-Surface training missiles, Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS) rockets, MK 54 anti-submarine torpedoes and 2 types of crew-served guns (type M-2400 and type GAU-21). Furthermore, Communication Security (ComSec) radios, Night Vision Goggles (NVG) and an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system are mentioned to be included. The primary role of the MH- 60R is Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti Surface Warfare (ASuW). Secondary missions of the Romeo model include Search and Rescue (SAR), logistics support, personnel transport and medical evacuation.
In the summer of 2020, the Greek government formalised a package to purchase four new MH-60R helicopters and further included the modernisation programme of the older S-70B-6s helicopters with upgrades of electronic systems and sensors. The introduction of the new MH-60R into Kotroni’s 1 MEN around late 2021, will initiate a gradual phase-out of the AB- 212s. It is expected that a few AB-212s (to be selected with sufficient flight hours left for the helicopters airframe) will remain in service for passenger-liaison flights until 2025.
Text and photos: Peter ten Berg