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Phantoms Phorever, Part 5: Greece

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Phantoms Phorever, Part 5: Greece
By Nicholas Tselepidis (text) & Tom Cooper (artworks)
Nov 16, 2003, 17:28

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Greece

One of the first Greek F-4E's during flight tests. (McDonnel Douglas)

Since the Cyprus crisis in 1967 the Hellenic Air Force (Eliniki Polemiki Aeroporia, EPA) General Staff started studying the prospect of acquiring a new fighter of non-U.S. origin, in order to avoid the "spare parts shortages" encountered in November of that year, when the Americans did not supply any spare parts using various excuses, at the same time when there was a crisis between Greece and Turkey. The embargo imposed by the U.S. Congress on Greece because of the military Junta that was in power in Athens at the time, despite the CIA's involment in training and funding the Colonels, also stopped deliveries of the third batch of F-5A/Bs to EPA. Earlier in 1965 36 F-104G's were delivered, and along with the F-5's they were the first brand new fighters the PA received for almost 25 years.

In 1970-71 Greek pilots went to France and flew the Mirage III and the Mirage F.1C. The French offered to give Greece production line rights and 20% participation in the F.1 program... The main drawback of this offer was the hard cash needed to finance it. Already in 1972 the Nixon administration lifted the embargo and the F-4E was offered to Greece, along with the A-7 the T-2 and the C-130...

This 'giant' deal was to completely modernise EPA and was going to be funded by the FMS program. The Colonels grasped the chance to modernise the Hellenic Air Force and to improve relations with the US at the same time, coming out of the political isolation in the international scene. On 13th of February 1972 the contract for the Phantoms was signed under the codename "Peace Icarus" and was valued at 160,000,000 $USD.

Photograph taken during the ceremony in Andravida, April 1974. ( Megaloeconomou Archives)

In 1973 the 117th Fighter Wing (PM) was designated as the unit to receive the F-4E's, and the Andravida Air Base was about to be completely upgraded with new HAS, taxiways and hangars. The crews, coming from the F-84F, were sent to Homestead AFB in Florida and were trained in both a-a and a-g missions, before starting to return in April of 1974. The 338th and 339th Squadrons were about to receive the Phantoms and on April 20 1974 the induction ceremony was held in Andravida. By the time of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus on July 20 1974, 23 F-4Es had arrived in Greece and 42 pilots were declared "combat ready" by their USAF instructors at Homestead and had returned to Greece. Eight of those pilots were also qualified as intructors on the Phantom. The Greek Phantoms were dispersed to various locations, including Tanagra and Heraklion, were one of them suffered a "heavy landing" and was written off. On July 22nd 1974 three F-4Es were on a CAP over the Aegean, and their crews witnessed over their radios the dogfight between Turkish F-102A's and Greek F-5A's, in which Fl.Lt. Dinopoulos Ioannis (a former trainee of Lt.Colonel Mpalles, the F-4E's senior instructor pilot), shot down one THK Delta Dagger and caused the crash landing of the second one. The Phantoms, along with all other PA fighters, were ordered to turn their weapons selectors to "Arm" during their CAP's. They were not, however, sent to Cyprus because the fall of the Junta brought free Democratic rule back to Greece, and the new Goverment did not want to risk a war with Turkey.

The "01506" that was written off in Heraklion on 22 July 1974. (Megaloeconomou Archives)

The Greek Phantoms remained dispersed until the end of 1974 when they returned to Andravida and the routine peace-time training resumed. In 1976 a further order of 18 F-4Es and eight RF-4Es was placed (Peace Icarus II). The second batch F-4Es went to the 337 Mira (Squadron) at Larissa, which up until then operated the F-5A/B and replaced them with Phantoms in 1978, while the RF-4Es went to 348 Mira, also at Larissa which used them along with RF-84F's until 1991 when the Thunderflashes retired. Also two more "attrition replacements" were delivered in 1976 (with fiscal year '74 serials), although only one F-4E was destroyed in Heraklion during the Cyprus invasion.

In the late 70's the Greek Phantoms were tasked with interception duties over the Aegean, although the Mirage F.1CGs were better dogfighters, they were supplemented by the Phantoms which had better range and also were equipped with the DIAS EW suite. There are reports of at least one THK F-104 crashing SE of Kastellorizo Island after being intercepted by 337 Mira Phantoms in the mid-80's, and while after 1989 the third generation fighters took over the duties of frontline interceptors, the usefulness of the Phantom remained, especially in bad weather conditions when the F-16 has significant problems operating in. For example at the night of the "Immia crisis" on January 31st 1996, all Greek and Turkish F-16's were grounded due to bad weather: Phantoms and Mirages were the only fighters in the air.

When Greece and the United States agreed to sign a new Treaty regarding the US bases in Greece (Southern Region Agreement), as an offset 28 F-4E's were offered to Greece. These 131st Sq Missouri ANG machines started to arrive in the summer of 1991 and were taken over by 338 Mira. The following year the Luftwaffe offered 27 RF-4E's, seven of which were used as spare parts sources.

Meanwhile, all the Greek Phantoms were put through a SLEP to extend their flight hours, while 36 went thru the "Peace Icarus 2000 Advanced Upgrade Program" and are now entering service with 338 and 339 Squadrons. The ex-ANG Phantoms are being flown from Larissa by 337th Squadron, while the RF-4E's remain at their exclusive operator, the 348th Squadron. Today the Peace Icarus 2000s are serving with 338 and 339 Squadrons, the SRA's are with 337 Squadron and the RF-4E's are with 348 Squadron.

Serials of Greek Phantoms

Project "Peace Icarus I"
- 72-01500 thru 72-1535
- 74-1618, 74-1619

Project "Peace Icarus II"
- 77-1743 thru 77-1760

RF-4Es
- 77-0357 thru 77-0358 supplied through MAP
- 77-1761 thru 77-1766 supplied through direct commercial sale

Ex-ANG F-4Es, supplied 1991-1992
67-0345
67-0350
67-0377
67-0381
68-0318
68-0361
68-0363
68-0381
68-0393
68-0394
68-0402
68-0405
68-0408
68-0412
68-0424
68-0426
68-0432
68-0438
68-0440
68-0442
68-0444
68-0445
68-0480
68-0481
68-0496
68-0506
68-0515
68-0517

Ex Luftwaffe RF-4Es
69-7449
69-7450
69-7454
69-7460
69-7464
69-7471
69-7476
69-7482
69-7486
69-7487
69-7491
69-7493
69-7495
69-7496
69-7498
69-7499
69-7500
69-7506
69-7507
69-7508
69-7511
69-7519
69-7529
69-7531
69-7533
69-7534
69-7535

Camouflage of Greek Phantoms:
The Peace Icarus I & II aircraft were delivered in the "SEA scheme" consisting of FS 34079 Green, FS 34102 Green, FS 30219 Tan on upper sides and undersides in Grey FS 36622.

After 1975 when the Mirage F.1CG's arrived in Greece still painted in their original "Mirage bleu" camouflage of the AdlA and this was found to be very effective in the Aegean environment and was adopted by EPA F-4Es and F-5As tasked with interception, so that in the early 1980s these were all re-painted in FS 35164 Blue with underside Silver FS 17178. No official name exists for this colour scheme, but it is usually referred to as "Aegean Blue".

In this older photo we see an echelon formation of "Aegean Blue" Phantoms, with the DIAS/Zeus RWR visible on the intake, over central Greece. (Cpt. I.Aggelis via D.Stergiou)

In 1989 the first F-16C/Ds supplied to EPA arrived painted in the "Ghost" scheme, originally developed by the USN aggressor units, which was found to be even more fitting to the Greek needs. Consequently, "Ghost" - consisting of FS 35237 Blue, FS 36251 Grey, and FS 36307 Grey in a wrap-around pattern - started replacing the "Aegean Blue" on Greek Phantoms after 1996 as well. The Peace Icarus 2000 AUP Phantoms are painted in "Ghost" also, but the radar cone is now all Grey and the IFF antennae ahead of the windshield are the distinguishing differences.

A left-banking Phantom shows the wrap-around "Ghost" scheme and its pattern. (Cpt. S.Anadiotis via D.Stergiou)

The ex-ANG Phantoms retained their Hill Grey II scheme (consisting of FS 26118 and FS 26270 Greys), until 1996 when they were also painted "Ghost", with the black tip on the radome and the large serials on the fin.

This close up of a former Missouri ANG machine shows the weathered Hill Grey II scheme and 2 of the 4 "Lima" Siedewinders it was carrying. In 1996 they received the Ghost scheme, retaining the large serials on the fin. (Cpt. S.Papachristos via D.Stergiou)

The original batch of RF-4Es supplied from the USA were painted in the "SEA scheme", while the ones coming from the Luftwaffe retain their German camouflage (FS 34079 and FS 34082 Greens and FS 36044 Grey). In newer times some of the RF-4Es were re-pained in the SEA scheme again after their SLEP.

Hellenic Air Force F-4 Units

117PM (FW)
339 Mira (Sqn.):
The unit acquired its first F-4E Phantom IIs on 5 April 1974, while based at Andravida. The first CO was Lt.Col. Sotirios Kontogiannis. On 20 April 1974, the official delivery ceremony was held in Andravida. Three months later, on 20 July 1974, the last crews returned from Homestead AFB, where they were trained by the 31st TFW USAF. The Phantoms were almost immediatel dispersed without being in the operational plans of the General Staff.

On 22 July 1974, eight F-4Es are sent to Heraklion under cover of three CAP Phantoms, but one aircraft was lost in a landing accident. The three CAP Phantoms were then ordered to "arm" their weapons because of an engagement between EPA F-5As and THK F-102As. The unit continued flying CAP missions until October, when the Phantoms returned from dispersal to Andravida and resumed their training syllabus.
In late 1970 they were all fitted with the DIAS EW suite. In 1978 339 Mira received all Peace Icarus II Phantoms (s/n "7xxxx") while giving the Phantoms it had received in 1974 to 337 Mira. In 1999 the unit started to send its Phantoms to the Hellenic Aircraft Industries for SLEP and AUP. Deliveries of refurbished aircraft started in 2003, and the unit is ever since flying and training on Peace Icarus 2000 Phantoms.

(72)01512 was the first F-4E built for Greece. It entered service with 339 Mira in 1974. All the Greek Phantoms were delivered painted in this camouflage pattern: from 1983, however, other camouflage patterns were introduced, starting with the "Aegean Blue" (see bellow). The last EPA F-4E was seen in the SEA-camo in 1996, since when the more spectacular "Ghost" sheme was introduced instead (see bottom). (All artworks by Tom Cooper)

Fitted with the ALR-45 Zeus RWR, mounted in housings on the engine intakes, (72)01530 was one of the 18 original F-4Es built for Greece, and compatible with the AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missiles as well. Originally, the aircraft entered service with the 117 PM/339 Mira, based at Andravida, tasked with all-weather interception role. Originally painted in the "SEA"-camo pattern, from 1983 this "Aegean Blue" camouflage pattern was adapted instead on most of Greek Phantoms, as it was found more suitable for the use over the sea.

Another early Peace Icarus 2000 Phantom was 01522, seen here armed with AIM-120 Slammers, four of which can be mounted in bays on the understide of the fuselage, two GBU-24s and a LITENING pod. Although today mainly used for air-to-ground tasks, and seldom scrambled to intercept Turkish fighters that regularly operate over the Aegean Sea, when armed with AIM-120s Greek Phantoms are still very dangerous oponents that must be recknocked with.

338 Mira (Sqn.):
In April 1974, the Squadron was split in two Flights, one equipped with F-84Fs and the other with F-4Es. First CO of the F-4E-flight and later the whole unit was Lt.Col. Harilaos Aggelopoulos. Its pilots operated with 339 Mira until August 1974 when F-4E deliveries resumed, and 338 then started to phase-out remaining Thunderstreaks. In 1991, the unit gave its aircraft to 337 and 339, and received ex-ANG Phantoms.

No its not "fake", this ex ANG 338 Mira Phantom is actually "flying around the bush"! Note the Greek Flag over the fin flash.

...and here is the wingman as well! You can note the exhaust smoke blurring the background. Photo taken in western Greece late summer 1991.

In 1999, 338 and 337 once again swapped their aircraft as the PI2000 upgrade was initiated both units have sent most of their old mounts to Tanagra.

For most of the 1980s EPA F-4E Phantom IIs soldiered armed with AIM-9P Sidewinders. AIM-7E and AIM-7F Sparrows were acquired for them (and for - meanwhile retired - F-104G Starfighters), but seldom seen in service.

(74)01511 was the F-4Es the EPA planned to put not only through the Structural Life Extension Programme (SLEP) but also an ICE upgrade, undertaken in cooperation with Germany, during which these Phantoms are going to get the APQ-120 radar and AMRAAM compatibility. In the course of this upgrade the F-4Es are also re-painted in this striking "Ghost" camouflage pattern, originally applied on EPA F-16Cs, but meanwhile in widespread use on other types of the Greek Air Force. In fact, most of non-upgraded but SLEP-ed EPA F-4Es were meanwhile seen in this camouflage pattern as well, and now several units operate both versions. The easiest way to recognize an F-4E SLEP from PI2000 Phantom is by the addition of the "bird-slicer" IFF-interrogator antennas and a completely grey radome on the later. Unfortunately it crashed on the 18th of May 2000 in a terrain masking exercise killing 1st Lt.'s Alexandrakis Konstantinos and Mouhtouris Polykarpos, as well as two girls that were studying in their house at Antikyra, Irene Kollia and Argyro Papacharalambous.

EPA's Peace Icarus 2000 F-4E Phantom IIs are now some of the most powerfull fighter-bombers in service world-wide. Due to their very modern fire-control and weapons suite, they are able to use a wide range of modern weapons, including LITENING-pods together with GBU- 16/B Paveway II and GBU-24 Paveway III LGBs (the last are shown here). Interestingly the PI2000 Phantoms seen recently have lost their black "cap" on the radome, which are now painted grey overall.

110 PM (FW)
337 Mira (Sqn.):
In September 1978, this unit moved from Nea Anchialos to Larissa and received its first Phantoms from 339 Mira, in turn giving its F-5s to 343 Mira, CO was Lt. Col. A.Makris. During the 1980s the Squadron - along with 342, 334 and 339 and 338 - was mainly tasked with interception duties over the Aegean.

In 1999 the unit swapped its aircraft with 338 and received ex-ANG Phantoms, all of which were meainwhile put through a SLEP to extend their flying hours limit.

In 1991 the EPA started receiving also 28 ex-US ANG F-4Es. The aircraft entered service with the 338 Mira, based at Andravida, and were initially left in their Hill Grey II camouflage pattern.

SLEP-ed - F-4Es are now all painted in the "Ghost" camouflage pattern. Although some of them are meanwhile 30 years old (the example depicted here, (7)71750 was built "only" in 1977), they are still very potent fighter-bombers, equipped als with ALQ-119 ECM-pods and AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles as well. Their worn out and dirty camouflage speaks volumes about the heavy use.

348 Mira (Sqn.):
On 29 September 1978 the first RF-4Es purchased in the USA landed at Larissa. The unit operated two flights until 1991, one of which was equipped with RF-4Es (of which five remained intact by the early 1990s), and the other with RF-84Fs.

In 1993 27 ex-Luftwaffe RF-4Es were received, seven of which acted as sources of spare parts, while 20 were taken into service. Between 1999 and 2001 all the surviving recce Phantoms underwent a PDM and were repainted, some retaining their German colors while others receiing the "SEA scheme". Also various Recce pods are being tested in order to enhance their capabilities and some are reported to have been bought.

One of the original seven RF-4Es supplied to Greece was 71-763, seen here. These Phantoms were operated by the 348 Mira Taktikis Anagnoriseos (Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron), together with the last four Republic RF-84F Thunderflashes until 29 March 1991: then the RF-84Fs were retired, while the surviving five RF-4Es remained in service only for few years longer - until supplemented by 20 RF-4Es supplied meanwhile from Germany.

In 1993 the EPA received 27 ex-Luftwaffe F-4Es, all of which were still painted in this "Norm 83/Scheme A" camouflage patern. The aircraft entered service with the 348 Mira, where they joined the eight original RF-4Es, delivered from the USA in 1977/78.

"7500" also belonged to 27 ex-Luftwaffe F-4Es supplied to Greece in 1993. Interestingly, most of these Phantoms had their stencils applied in white.

"7511" was also operated by the 348 Mira. Interestingly, contrary to most of the other RF-4Cs and RF-4Es in world-wide service, these aircraft could also be armed with AIM-9P and AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, as well as AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles. Of interest is also the difference in application of national markings on the three RF-4Es above: on some ligher blue colour was used, on others darker (in one case the roundel was lighter than the fin flash), and their roundels and fin flashes are also of different size!

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