383 Special Operations & Air Fire Fighting Squadron (383 MEEA)

Squadron Name and emblem

The squadron’s name is associated to the sea, the daily contact with which dominates the squadron’s mission.

According to the Greek mythology, Proteus was one of the Atlases who held the earth. Escorting Poseidon, he was also a god of the sea and had the special ability to transform to many shapes.

The emblem of the 383 Squadron represents the eternal fight between good end evil with the domination of the water (blue eagle) against the disastrous fire (red dragon).

The Hellenic Air Force roundel has a notable place in the composition. The squadron’s motto says «We passed through fire and water» and comes from St. Kosmas Etolos’s last words to his Turk executioners. The motto schematically represents the cycle, taking and dropping water to the fire. This process characterizes the squadron’s operational method. 

The airplane patch, which the crews wear, depicts a CL-415 in flight with the Greek flag in the background. The pilots who have 1000 flight hours in this airplane type wear the same badges.

383 Special Operations & Air Fire Fighting Squadron «Proteus»

One of the younger HAF squadrons, the 383 Special Operations & Air Fire Fighting Squadron was formed on May 16th, 2003, as a result of the splitting of thev 355 Tactical Transport Squadron (TTS).

The squadron has 10 CL-415 in its inventory, the delivery which started in January 1999 to the 355 TTS, at Elefsis air base (112 CW). The 338 Sqn operates with the CL-415, in aerial fire fighting, tactical transportation and search and rescue missions.

CL-415 in flight

The Squadron’s particular role, the fire fighting, is one aspect of the Air Forces’ social contribution to the Country and the citizens. The airplanes of 383 Sqn fight forest fires, which destroy the natural resources of our country and the property of Greek people.

In addition to fire-fighting, the CL-415 airplanes patrol the high risk areas throughout the whole country in order to prevent and extinguish forest fires as soon as possible. They also provide search and rescue to vessels throughout the Mediterranean territory.

In the frame of our foreign affairs policy, we support other countries which were hit from disastrous fires. The Squadron since its establishment participated to fire fighting missions in France (2003) and Portugal (2004), while the crews and squadron’s airplanes contributed to fire fighting in Turkey (TURPAS refinery after the earthquake of 1999) and in Cyprus (2001 – 2002), when they served in the 355 TTS.

Water dropping from CL-415  to sloping terrain

From 2003 until 2006, during the summer period, the Squadron operated simultaneously from 112 CW and other airports, where fire fighting detachments are formed according to the Fire Brigade’s annual demands. During the summer period, operational control of the aircraft is assumed by the Fire Brigade

The airplanes are based at the 113 CW and 117CW airports, while redeployed as detachments all over the country (i.e. Heraklion, Souda, Rodos, Karpathos, Kalamata) where fires break out.

Of major importance was the contribution to the protection during the Olympics in 2004,as well as the extinguishing of large forest fires to N. Voutzas and to Gramatikon after the HELIOS airliner crash in 2005.

In 2006, after a Supreme Air Force Council decision, the squadron is based to the «MACEDONIA» airport, Thessaloniki.

During the winter period, the squadron is in readiness for aerial fire fighting and rescue missions.

CL-415 scooping water

The squadron’s main role is the aerial firefighting, a very demanding task, especially during the filling-up of the water tanks from sea and during airdrops, taking into account that an airdrop takes place from an altitude of aprox. 100 ft. In addition, the crews are in a continuous 15 minute alert.

JET-BOAT disembarkation from a CL-415MP

In addition, the CL-415s also carry out light transport missions when the weather conditions allow such an activity, even during night hours, because of their advanced navigation systems. In this framework and because of their multi-purpose role (amphibious), the CL-415 airplanes are often used to transport the 31 Search & Rescue Operations Squadron and the Hellenic Navy Underwater Demolition Teams.

CL-415MP

The squadron’s fleet consists of 10 CL-415 airplanes, two of which have Multi-Purpose (MP) configuration adapted for search and rescue missions.

The CL-415 MP airplanes are equipped with advanced electronic tracking systems (FLIR, Radar, SLAR) and also a navigator, a flight mechanic and rescue personnel are added to the crew.

The squadron’s personnel are mainly pilots from the Air Force Academy, who are incorporated in the squadron’s force after serving at fighter aircraft squadrons. Also mechanics and navigators participate in SAR missions.

In the above time table are included the flight hours for aerial fire-fighting support, such as personnel transportation, detachment redeployment, forest patrol missions etc.

Water drop from a very low altitude	Water drop to level terrain	Formation water drop over urban area
Water drop in dense smoke	Squadron crews pose in front of a CL-415	CL-415 symbolic flight over the “Sialmas” cape memorial
Two CL-415 in formation flight	Air firefighting over residential area	Water drop over mountainous terrain
Refilling the water tanks	Awaiting the fire-fighting season	Water drop to rough area