After the cancelation of last year’s edition due to COVID-19 and despite the on-going threat, the Hellenic Air Force organised the 6th international edition of the exercise INIOCHOS. The Hellenic Air Force participated with all fighter and support squadrons including UAV and Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) teams. Canadian Armed Forces made their debut in this year’s edition as they participated with highly experienced Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) teams.
The Cypriot National Guard participated with an AW139 helicopter belonging to 460 MED, Paphos AB. They took part in Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions as well as in Special Forces missions with the objective to position JTAC teams into “hostile” territory. The squadron made an excellent impression at all stages of the exercise while maintaining high accuracy and professionalism during all the missions. France also made their first appearance in this year’s edition and with the help of this exercise, they showcased the advanced capabilities of the Rafale to the Hellenic Air Force, who recently ordered 18 examples. All Rafale were of F3-R standard, equipped with AESA radar. The Aéronautique Navale participated with 5x Rafale M from Flottille 12 based in BAN Landivisiau. The Armée de l’Air joined the exercise with with 3 & 3 Rafale B & C from Escadron de Chasse 1/4 “Gascogne” and 2/4 “La Fayette” based in BA113 Saint Dizier-Robinson, Escadron de Chasse 2/30 “Normandie-Niemen” based in BA118 Mont-de-Marsan and 5x Mirage 2000D from EC 2/3 “Champagne”, EC 3/3 “Ardennes” and ETD 4/3 “Argonne” based in BA133 Nancy-Ochey. The Israeli Air Force marked their presence with the 69 Squadron “The Hammers” and 107 Squadron “The Knights of the Orange Tail”, with 6 F-15I Ra’am and 6 F-16I Sufa respectively. Further, INIOCHOS 2021 witnessed the participation from 1 Gulfstream G550 Nachshon Eitam Conformal Airborne Early Warning Aircraft (CAEW) from 122 Squadron, Nevatim AB and 1 KC-707 Re’em Aerial Refuelling Aircraft from 120 Squadron, Nevatim AB. The third newcomer to INIOCHOS 2021 was the Spanish Air Force. The Spanish contingent consisted of 3 EF-18A and 1 EF-18BM from Ala 12, Torrejon and 4 EF-18A from Ala 15, Zaragoza. The United Arab Emirates Air Force participated again, but this time with 5 F-16E and 1 F-16F Desert Falcon from the 2 Squadron, Al Dhafra AB. The United States Air Forces Europe (USAFE) participated with 13 F-16C Block 40 and 1 F-16D Block 40 from the 510 Fighter Squadron, Aviano AB (Italy). Participating in the exercise was also 1 KC-135R Aerial Refuelling Aircraft from the 351 ARS, RAF Mildenhall (United Kingdom) based in Souda AB, Crete (Hellas) and JTAC teams. Apart from these heavy flying machines, INIOCHOS 2021 also witnessed the participation of 1 MQ-9 Reaper UAV from the 31 EOG, based in Campia Turzii, Romania.
The Exercise
Designed to simulate complex and intensive air operations, day and night, INIOCHOS 2021 was framed to test skills and capabilities of participating personnel and aircraft. This frame gave all participants a unique opportunity: To exercise inside a layer of multiple, unexpected threats against RED Forces consisting of some of the best pilots in the world and a multitude of modern short- and long-range A/A-systems. A fully simulated combat environment was provided to all participants which was coupled with the opportunity of using different kinds of target ranges (over land and sea) for absolutely realistic training conditions. The training area included the whole of Athens Flight Information Region (Athens FIR). The Hellenic Air Force 330 M from Nea Anchialos AB and the 337 M from Larissa AB, ground-based air defence systems of the Hellenic Army and the anti-aircraft capabilities of the Hellenic Navy acted as RED Forces. Both 330 M and 337 M brought to the exercise their vast experience and sophisticated tactics, collected after thousands of live scrambles over the Aegean Sea against the Turkish Air Force. More than 1100 sorties were flown during the exercise with an availability rate of almost 100%, including the air refuelling, early warning, transport and helicopter missions.
Lessons learned & future
According to Lt. Col. R. Barrois, commander of the Armée de l’Air detachment, “Our goal is to train and develop our interoperability with our allies present at Andravida. Our presence is also an opportunity to develop our cooperation with the Hellenic Air Force. Especially now, after being accepted into the Rafale community. During the exercise, we also had the opportunity and pleasure to exchange our experiences with the Rafale crews of the Aéronautique Navale. This strengthens the bonds within the Rafale community, not to mention the work with the Mirage 2000D.” By projecting 6 Rafale and 5 Mirage 2000D as part of the exercise, the Armée de l’Air also demonstrated “its force projection capability, a demanding prerogative that requires a lot of skill and specialisation.” “This exercise is an opportunity to get out of our comfort zone, in order to learn to function properly in an environment where everything is unknown, as in war” stated Lt. Col. A., Commander of 69 Squadron from Hatzerim AB. “INIOCHOS is an important opportunity for us to train alongside and learn from our Hellenic and other allies” said US Air Force Gen J. Harrigian, USAFEAFAFRICA commander. “It improves the relationships that underpin our military alliance and creates opportunities to refine skills that enhance our interoperability. The friendship, understanding and cooperation that is being made here is an important military asset for us.” Exercise INIOCHOS is steadily transforming itself into a major airexercise in Europe and the Middle East, covering a broad spectrum of operations. A testament to this is the growing number of countries wishing to take part. Andravida AB is currently being expanded with additional apron space and accommodation buildings.
Article by Marcus Vallianos Pictures by Philipp Vallianos
The authors wish to thank Col. (P) K. Gkoumatsis, HAFGS Spokesman, for his invaluable help for the preparation of this article. Also, a special thanks to all the personal of 460 Squadron, Cypriot Air Force for their kindness and precious input!