Hellenic Air Force Academy

European Air Force Academies (EUAFA)

The first conference of the heads of personnel of the Air component of different European countries, in 1995, set as primary objective the development of new methods of cooperation among European Air Forces.

On that ground, the first annual commandants’ conference of the European Air Force Academies was conducted in Italy. Since then the participating countries have developed an extended cadet exchange program whereas suggestions for other fields of mutual cooperation are currently processed.

European Air Force Academies Commandants’ Conference

Primary objective

The annual conference of the commandants’ of the European Air Force Academies is established as a forum where countries exchange information, find areas of common interest and broaden the cadets exchange program with the largest possible participation of all the member nations, in the field of education and training according to EURAC guidelines.

Each annual conference of the commandants’ is being prepared by a working group two months in advance and suggests the agenda to be discussed and approved by the commandants’. The annual conferences are held by the country holding the presidency each year. Nowadays commanders from 19 different countries are currently participating in these conferences.

Participating countries

The Conference is currently composed of 19 countries

Country	Academy	Location
AUSTRIA	Fliegerschule	ZELTWEG
BELGIUM	Royal Military Academy	BRUSSELS
CZECH republic	University of Defence In Brno	BRNO
DENMARK	RDAF Academy	BALLERUP
FINLAND	Air Force Academy	TIKKAKOSKI
FRANCE	Ecole de l’Air	SALON de PROVENCE
GERMANY	Offizierschule der Luftwaffe	FURSTENFELDBRUCK
HELLAS	Hellenic Air Force Academy	ATHENS
IRELAND	Air Corps College	DUBLIN
ITALY	Accademia Aeronautica	POZZUOLI
NORWAY	Luftkrigsskolen	TRONDHEIM
POLAND	Wvzsza Szkola Oficerska Sil	DEBLIN
PORTUGAL	Academia da Forca Aerea	SINTRA
SPAIN	Academia General del Aire	CARTAGENA
SWEDEN	Air Combat Training School	HALMSTAD
SWITZERLAND	Swiss Air Force School	EMMEN
THE NETHERLANDS	Koninklijke Militaire Academie	BREDA
TURKEY	Hava Harp Okulu Komutanligi	ISTANBUL
UNITED KINGDOM	Royal Air Force College	CRANWELL

Cadet's Exchange Program

It is formed in accordance to the directions of the commandants’ annual conference and although it is based on bilateral collaboration, EUAFA has introduced a multinational character by setting the proper outline for sport events and survival exercises.

In general terms the current programs concern

• Academic education (sciences)
• Cadet meetings and cultural programs
• Military training programs
• Aviation programs (gliders, parachute jumping)
• Sport events
• Land and Sea survival
• European security and defense politics seminars
• Annual paper/essay contests

Implementation

HAFA is an active participant in the implementation of EUAFA programs by sending cadets in many activities organized by other countries and by hosting foreign cadets in training programs concerning  in maritime survival and in cadet meetings and cultural visits.

2005 HAFA Activities

In the past year 27 cadets of the Hellenic Air Force Academy participated in the following activities:

Sport events

• The volleyball team consisting of 10 cadets took part in the games organized by the British academy in Cranwell.
• The swimming team consisting of 8 cadets took part in the games organized by the Spanish Academy in Murcia.
• Two cadets took part in a military training exercise organized by the Spanish Academy in Murcia.
• Two cadets took part in a leadership exercise organized by the Portuguese Academy in Sintra.
• Finally two cadets took part in maritime survival exercise organized by the Italian Academy in Pozzuoli in September.

Seminar for European security and safety

The German AFA organized in November 2005 seminar concerning the future of European security and safety. Cadets from 7 countries participated in this seminar. Additionally, visits to air bases factories and museums were included.

Offered activities

HAFA organized the following activities:

Sea survival training

Cadets from Turkey and Italy took part respectfully in the training periods which took place from 13 to 17 June 2005 and from 5 to 9 September 2005

Cadet meeting - Cultural program

The Military-Cultural program consisted of two events as follows:

• The first took place from 9 to 13 May 2005 in which participated cadets from Belgium, Germany, Spain and Italy. It also included visits to the campus of HAFA, to 120ATW and archeological sites.
• The second took place from 14 to 18 September 2005 in which participated cadets from Italy, Britain, and Sweden. It included visits to the campus of HAFA, to archeological sites, and the cadets also had the opportunity to watch the ‘’Archagelos 2005’’ air show.

EUAFA Chairmanship of Year 2005

Greece undertook the 2005 chairmanship in the 2004 conference in Breda, Holland.  The annual conference which took place in Athens from 6 to 10 June 2005 brought to a close the Presidency of HAFA successfully. There were 31 commanders and their stuff participating under the chairmanship of Major General G. Fasilis.

During the conference, the participants paid a visit to the Hellenic Air force Academy campus and the 120ATW where they had the chance to see how the flight training is provided in Greece. A visit to Acropolis was also included as part of the cultural program.

At the end of the conference, the Chairman handed over the chairmanship to the Danish AFA commander who briefed the other members about his planning for the 2006 meetings, as well as his vision about the future of EUAFA activities.