Greece 2023

Iniochos

Greece 2023

A large group of aviation enthusiasts visited Andravida during the first spotters day for Iniochos 2023. A smaller 4Aviation group headed for Greece a couple of days earlier to see if they could catch some interesting aircraft in the low-flying areas.

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23 April 2023

The multinational exercise Iniochos 2023 was held from Monday 24April to Thursday 4 May 2023 at Andravida Air Base, from which the majority of the participating combat aircraft operated. As in previous years, spotters days were organised, so for us another great opportunity to travel to Greece. A small group traveled ahead in the first week to investigate the possibilities in the low-flying area. As a result, on Sunday 23 April, eight photographers gathered in Dusseldorf for the flight to Athens. Upon arrival, the rental van was picked up and course was set for our hotel on the coast. Enjoying a delicious Greek meal, the sunset was enjoyed.

24 April 2023

On Monday, 24 April, an early course was set for the nearest point where we hoped to see low-flying aircraft. After a short drive and a short but intense climb we arrived at the intended point. A beautiful view over the mountains in Kalavryta with a rising sun was actually worth the trip already; planes now! The place where we stood was visited by several people, all waiting for jet engines to swell. Unfortunately, it remained silent for a long, very long time. Because the place where we were only had the correct position of the sun in the morning, we moved to the other side of the gorge around noon. A somewhat more accessible place, but also a little further from the intended flight path. Here too our patience was tested, but late in the afternoon (3.30 pm) we were treated to three Italian Tornadoes that had found their way. Luckily! After the Tornadoes we saw two more Spanish Hornets exploring the area and five Saudi Eagles making a photo flight. The small success of the day was celebrated with a delicious meal and a beer on the coast.

25 April 2023

After a good night’s sleep, Tuesday 25 April started early with the same target as the day before; low-flying aircraft. However, the day unfolded exactly like the day before: a very long wait until around 3.30 pm a number of Tornadoes came through the valley. Not quite what we hoped for but if you don’t try you certainly won’t succeed! At the end of the day we set course for Patras for our overnight stay there. Later in the evening, the group that had left the Netherlands earlier in the day also arrived there.

The majority of that second group, consisting of 36 enthusiasts from far and wide, had flown from Schiphol to Athens earlier that day in two ‘sessions’. Due to the unavailability of aircraft (Transavia), KLM had to be diverted to at the last minute, resulting in not everyone being able to be booked on the same flight. At Athens airport, the same bus and driver as in 2022 were ready to take the group to Patras.

26 April 2023

The first spotters day for Iniochos 2023 was scheduled for today, Wednesday 26 April 2023. After a drive of less than an hour, with both groups in the big bus, we arrived at the base. The administration went a lot faster than in previous years and before we knew it everyone was on base. Iniochos 2023 saw the participation of 11 countries, a record since 2015 when Iniochos was held for the first time. Specifically, the participants were Cyprus with an AW139, France with Rafales, India with Su-30s, Italy with Tornadoes, Jordan with F-16s, Saudi Arabia with F-15s, Slovenia with PC-9s and Spain with EF-18s. And of course a whole assortment of aircraft from the Hellenic Air Force.

For the first time in years, the opportunity was offered to start on the ‘correct’ side of the runway, with the sun in the back. The sun was there in the beginning, but slowly clouds appeared and it started to rain. Too bad, because a large sortie was flown. By noon everyone was moved to the other side of the runway and the drizzle had turned into a downpour. Miraculously, it then cleared up beautifully and the afternoon sortie, which consisted of many aircraft, could be captured beautifully. Finally a very successful day! The evening was spent in Patras where everyone went their separate way.

27 April 2023

On Thursday 27 April 2023, the group that had ‘done’ the low-level flight left early for Athens for the return flight.

The rest of the group had another destination this day; the museum at Dekelia-Tatoi. This visit was announced at the museum because the museum is normally only open on weekends. That we were expected was immediately clear upon arrival. The group was divided, in a military manner, into two equal parts that could walk over the museum grounds and through the hangar under supervision. Fortunately, it was also possible to visit the storage part of the museum again and the weather was fantastic. Unfortunately there was no activity from the HAF training aircraft or the crop sprayers and the Coast Guard did not show up today either. After that it was also time for this group to go to the airport for the return flight to Amsterdam.

Greece 2023

Greece 2023

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Greece (2023)

Greece 2023

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