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Location

The Academy was located at Dekeleia Air Base, Tatoi

Parent Unit

The Academy belonged to the Hellenic Air Force Training Command

General

The school was a modern, well-organized training Unit. It enhanced the AF flying and air transport related mission by providing competent air crews specialized in using navigation systems, which were also well-versed in aeronautics necessary for a secure and precise Aircraft course.

The Academy aimed mainly at the development of candidates’ abilities as radio navigators through the appropriate and systematic training including military training, which would enhance their skills and morale in order to carry out their task successfully.

Mission

The Academy’s mission was to develop, through and thorough curriculum, competent radio navigator NCOs in order to deal with particularly demanding responsibilities as aircrew members, as well as various responsibilities assigned to them within an organization of high technological standards such as the Hellenic Air Force.

History

World War I

The history of navigators in the HAF led to the subsequent establishment of the Academy and begins during the period of World War I and the years between the two World Wars, when navigators, called air observers, had been used in aircraft of that age.

World War II – Establishment of the Academy (1942-1951)

In 1942 the comprehensive training of 18 months duration of the Greek Navigators–Bombers in South Africa and Rodesia began with BALTIMOR aircraft, in order to meet the manning requirements of the aircraft that were fighting in North Africa and Crete. The first 50 radio navigator-bombers and air radio operators graduated from the Navigation School in South Rhodesia during the period 1942-1944.
The training continued until 1945 and the last class completed its training in England due to the meanwhile end of World War II. After the end of World War II, the navigators were hired as NCOs by law in 1946 and most of them have served on important posts as well as at the Air Cadet Academy, established in 1951. Since 1951, the Academy started operating according to the respective foreign Academies’ standards and provided the Hellenic AF with competent air navigators and radio operators.

Korea (1950)

The navigators’ contribution to wartime operations had also been continued after World War II with their participation in the Korean War. On November 8th, 1950, 9 aircraft C-47 were navigated from Elefsina Airport to Korea. During the war they participated in a great number of operations, air transportations, parachuting, supplies, data gathering concerning the enemies’ posts etc.

Cyprus (1974)

The navigators’ contribution to wartime operations also continued in 1974 with their substantial contribution to the “NIKH” operation with the objective of supporting the Greek-Cypriots.

1951

In 1977 the Air Cadet Academy was renamed to Radio Navigators NCO Academy.

2002

Attendance of women at the academy for the first time.

2019

The Academy stopped operating.

Education & Training Provided

Education/Training constituted the Academy’s basic mission and aimed at the provision of knowledge of high standards, so that the graduates would become excellent professional Radio Navigators and competent cadres of Hellenic Air Force.

Training was devided in: Flight, Academic, Military and Physical Training

After the students’ enrollment at the Academy the Basic Military Training started with the aim to mold the cadet’s character to a well-trained NCO of HAF, and a Special Physical Training Program with the aim of contributing to the improvement of the cadet’s physical condition and physique.

After the completion of the Basic Military Training and the swearing-in ceremony started the Academic, Flight, Physical and Military Training, which took place during whole period of attendance at the Academy.

In addition to the courses, the Academy provided educational visits, journeys and lectures in national, military and social issues.

The programming and the materialization of the training were accomplished according to the General Program of the Academy, approved by the Air Training Command.

Training Duration

The attendance at the Academy lasted for two academic years. Every academic year was divided into two periods of 6 months each.

Training Support

The Academy useed educational reference books from book stores, T.E.I (Technical Educational Institutions). For courses that could not be covered by the above mentioned sources, professors and Military Instructors were assigned with the writing of the necessary manuals.

For the flight training, the Academy used the special configured C-130AUP aircraft, whose flights could be recorded by a portable computer and were being analyzed extensively after their termination. Flight simulator and Electronic Navigation Designing program were also used in ground preparation.

Teaching Personnel

The Teaching Personnel of the Academy was comprised of teachers (University and Higher Education Institutions graduates) and military instructors (trainers) (for specialization courses and flight training).

Activities

During the attendance at the Academy further educational visits of cultural and historical interest were being accomplished.

Graduates’ career

Service in

• Squadrons of transportation aircraft or other types of aircraft according to the requirements of HAF.
• Combat Wing Staff
• Radio Navigators Academy and other Training Centers and Units.

Duties during his career

• Responsible air crew member
• Transportation Aircraft Squadron Navigation Office Assistant
• Squadron Radio Navigator Training Officer
• Squadron Maps Navigation Office Officer
• Wing/Group/Squadron Intelligence and Operation Officer
• Trainers/Instructors at Training Centers and Units according to their specialty