Royal Hellenic Air Force

Royal Hellenic Air Force
Unit name	Royal Hellenic Air Force
Native name	Βασιλική Πολεμική Αεροπορία
Caption	Emblem of the Royal Hellenic Air Force
Dates	1935–1974
Country	Kingdom of Greece
Branch	Hellenic Armed Forces
Type	Air force
Role	Aerial warfare
Size	(at peak)
Command structure	Hellenic National Defence General Staff
Garrison	Athens
Garrison label	Headquarters
Motto	"Αἰὲν Ὑψικρατεῖν", ("Always Dominate the Heights")
Anniversaries	8 November
Battles	Greco-Italian War, Battle of Greece, Greek Civil War, Korean War, Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Notable commanders	Alexandros Papagos, Thrasyvoulos Tsakalotos
Identification symbol label	Roundel

Royal Hellenic Air Force. The Royal Hellenic Air Force was the aerial warfare branch of the Hellenic Armed Forces during the period of the Kingdom of Greece. Established in the interwar period, it played a critical role in the nation's defense through major conflicts of the 20th century, including the Second World War and the Greek Civil War. Its legacy of service and tradition was continued by the modern Hellenic Air Force following the abolition of the monarchy.

History

The foundation of a formal air arm began with the establishment of the Hellenic Army Aviation service in 1911. Following the Asia Minor Campaign, the need for an independent force was recognized, leading to its official establishment by royal decree in 1935. During the Greco-Italian War in 1940, pilots flying aircraft like the PZL P.24 achieved notable successes against the Regia Aeronautica. After the Battle of Greece and the Axis occupation of Greece, personnel and aircraft escaped to form squadrons under the Middle East Command, participating in the North African campaign and the Italian Campaign (World War II). In the subsequent Greek Civil War, it provided crucial close air support against the Democratic Army of Greece. Later, the 335th Squadron saw action in the Korean War as part of the United Nations Command. The force was renamed following the fall of the Greek military junta of 1967–1974 and the abolition of the monarchy.

Organization

The force was commanded by the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, headquartered in Athens. Its major operational components were Tactical and Air Support Commands, which controlled various combat wings and groups. Key formations included the 110th Combat Wing based at Larissa and the 114th Combat Wing at Tanagra Air Base. Training was centralized under the Air Force Training Command, with the 120th Air Training Wing at Kalamata Air Base serving as a primary center. Support functions, including logistics and maintenance, were managed by dedicated directorates within the Ministry of National Defence (Greece).

Aircraft

Throughout its history, the fleet transitioned from piston-engine fighters to jet aircraft. Early mainstays included the PZL P.24 and Hawker Hurricane during the Second World War. The post-war period saw the introduction of the Republic F-84 Thunderjet and the North American F-86 Sabre, the latter used by the 341st Squadron in Korea. By the 1960s and early 1970s, the inventory modernized with the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, the Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter, and the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger. Transport and support aircraft included the Douglas C-47 Skytrain, Nord Noratlas, and Grumman HU-16 Albatross.

Bases

Major air bases formed the backbone of national air defense and projection. Primary fighter bases included Tanagra Air Base, Larissa Air Base, and Elefsina Air Base. Andravida Air Base served as a key installation for heavier aircraft, while Araxos Air Base hosted fighter squadrons and was strategically important for NATO operations in the Aegean Sea. Training was conducted at Kalamata Air Base and Tatoi Air Base, the latter also serving as a royal and VIP transport hub near Athens. The base at Souda Bay in Crete provided critical support for operations in the eastern Mediterranean.

Insignia and markings

The primary national insignia was a Hellenic roundel featuring blue and white concentric circles, reflecting the national colors. During the Second World War, aircraft serving with the Allies in the Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II often displayed standard Royal Air Force roundels alongside the Greek insignia. Squadron markings and individual aircraft codes were typically applied on the fuselage and tail. The fin flash, a vertical blue-white-blue stripe, was a common feature. Many aircraft also carried the unit insignia of famous squadrons like the 13th Light Bombing Squadron or the 335th Squadron.

Notable personnel

Distinguished aviators and commanders include Marlinos Mitralexis, famed for a ramming attack during the Greco-Italian War. Gregoris Valakos was a leading ace of the same period. Ioannis Kellas served as a senior commander during the formative years. Konstantinos Korkas was a celebrated pilot in the Korean War. Senior officers who led the service include Air Marshal Georgios Pentzikis and Air Vice Marshal Nikolaos Nikolaidis. Many personnel were decorated with high honors such as the Gold Cross of Valour and the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom).

Category:Military of Greece Category:Air forces by country Category:Defunct air forces