115 Combat Wing

1954-1959

The construction of the airport's basic infrastucture was performed by the American company THOMPSON MERRITT. It started on August 24, 1954 and finished on October 27, 1965.

The use of the airport started on November 25, 1955, when a DACOTA airplane of Hellenic Air force landed carrying officers to attend the construction progress.
Practically, the Souda airport started to operate on 17th of November, 1958. That also was the date its first unit, the 115 Combat Group, was set up.  At that time the first combat squadron landed over there, coming from the 112 CW , the 338 Fighter Bomber Sqn, equipped with F-84G aircraft.

At the end of 1959 the 337 FB Sqn with F-84Gs was added to the 115 CG force.

1960-1969

In January 1960, the 337 Fighter Bomber Sqn changed role and was renamed to 337 All Weather Sqn and in April of the same year departed to the 110 CW.

In the same year the F-84G were replaced by the F-84F and the 340 FB Sqn came to Souda on February 4, 1960 from the 111 CW.

In 1960 the Unit took part successfully in two large scale exercises. In May to the REGEX 1 exercise and in September to the FLASH BACK exercise.

On March 14, 1961 the Unit took part successfully, with the 340 FB Sqn, in the two day REGEX-61 exercise.

From April 17th , 1961 the Group had at its disposal  the MALEME shooting range.

On May 5, 1961, an American Air Force detachment came on 115 Combat Group and departed on May 9, 1961.

From July 9th, 1962 till July 14th a six F-84F aircraft flight of 340 FB Sqn with 7 pilots and 11 technicians moved at BALIKESIR, Turkey during a flight exchange between Greece, Italy and Turkey.

On July 24, 1962 a 4 F-84F aircraft flight of 340 FB Sqn accomplished a navigation training flight and landed in RIMINI in Italy.

On September 30, 1963, a British detachment arrived to the 115 Combat Group to participate in  the “TRIPLEX-WEST” exercise.

1964 could be described as year of change.

Another squadron in the srike role was added to the Unit, along with the necessary support facilities.

Another important change was the upgrading of the Combat Group to Combat Wing.

In June, the 335 Sqn from the 114 CW came to Souda airport.

In July 1964, the 340 FB Sqn was renamed to 338 Fighter Bomber Sqn, and  the 335 Strike Sqn which came to 115 CG from the 114CW in June, to 340 Strike Sqn.

In August, the 115 Combat Group was renamed to 115 Combat Wing.

In the next year 1965, the Combat Wing, which had two Squadrons with F-84F aircraft at that time, was evaluated successfully by the 28th Hellenic Tactical Air Force (28 HTAF).

In October 1966, the 340 Strike Sqn changes its role to Fighter Bomber Sqn.

In 1967, the two Squadrons were successfuly evaluated by NATO with classification of A’ class for the 340 Sqn and B’ class for the 338 Sqn.

1970-1980

In March 1970, a 340 Sqn aircraft Flight moved for 3 days to the GIOIA DEL COLLE airport in Italy, during the “SOUTHERN FLAG” exercises.

From July 1st, 1971 to July 14th, during a Squadron Exchange, a 338 Sqn aircraft Flight moved to VILAFRANCA airport in Northern Italy.

On July 18th 1974, the 3402 FB Sqn was formed with F-84F aircraft which came from the 340 FB Sqn. In the beginning it operated as a deployment detachment and later as an independent Squadron. On August 2, 1975 the 3402 FB Sqn was renamed to 345 Sqn.

Ath this time, there were two Squadrons in the Combat Wing, the 340 FB Sqn which started to get modernized with the A-7H CORSAIR II from July 7, 1975 as 340 Bomber Sqn,  and the 345 FB Sqn which started upgrading  with the same aircraft type in the first ten days of July 1976, when it reformed as 345 Bomber Sqn.

In 1976 the A-7H Flight Simulator, and the 367 Practical Training Group with T-33A aircraft were formed in the 115CW. In the same year the Local Defence Detachment was reorganized as an independent operational Unit and was renamed to 405 Airport Protection Sqn.

In 1977, the 347 Bomber Sqn was formed with A-7H aircraft, with the objective to be permanently based to the 110 CW.

From June 29th 1979 to July 6th, a A-7H Flight of the 340 Sqn moved to HAHN airport West Germany during a Flight Exchange.

From June 17th 1980 to June 26th, again during a Flight Exchange, a Flight of the 345 Sqn moved to the COLTISHALL airport, England.

1981-Today

In 1981 the Unit took part in the RAMSTEIN air exhibition, with one TA-7H, one A-7H aircraft and three pilots.

In the frame of Flight Exchanges, the 103 GRUPPO CBR of the Italian Air Force visited the Unit from August 20 to August 28, 1987 and flew along with Greek pilots from the 340 Sqn.

On July 22, 1984, the 367 Operational Training Flight suspended activities and the 222 Operational Training Sqn was formed with T-33 airplanes. The mission of the newly formed squadron was the training the unit's Fighter Squadron pilots, as well as towing targets for NAMFI (NATO Missile Firing Installation).

On January 19th 2000, there was a ceremony to retire the T-33As aircraft and disintegration of the 222 Practical Training Sqn.

On March 28th 2000, during the PROTEUS WEST exercise, two A-7H visited the GRAZZANIZZE airport in Italy.

From May 22 to May 31st 2000, the unit took part in the DYNAMIC MIX NATO exercise.

On January 30 2001, the operation of 340 Sqn was suspended. An anniversary A-7H aircraft was painted in the colors of the Greek flag and 340 Bomber Sqn for the occasion. The 340 Sqn aircraft and part of the personnel were incorporated under the 345 Bomber Sqn.

The 2002 is a year of major changes in the operation and the structure of 115 CW.  In view of the forthcoming reception of the newF-16C/D Block 52+ fighter aircraft, the A/TA-7H aircraft, the ground support equipment and materials, as well as the pilots and technical personnel gradually redeployed to the 116 Combat Wing.

On August 30 2002, the operation of 345 Sqn was finally suspended, after the completion of the aircraft transfer to the 116CW.

On March 3rd 2003, the 340 Fighter Bomber Squadron was reformed with F-16 Block 52+ aircraft at the 115 CW, from where it operates till today.

On July 21st 2003, the 343 Sqn reentered operational status with the F-16 block 52+ C/D aircraft.