Historical Background
The Hellenic Air Force History Directorate was established in 1950, as a Department in Branch A’ of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, under the title «Department of Military Reports».
Already before 1949 orders were issued for officers, who had taken part in the 1st World War, to compile military reports, while the Operations Directorate of the HAF General Staff had undertaken the subject of compiling, keeping and submitting the Logs of the different Units.
The Department of Military Reports had to deal with functional problems, because it was put under different directorates of the HAFGS, and as a result it was abolished in August 1956 and a new special one was created under the Chief of Branch A. The new Section of Military Reports was responsible for:
- Concentrating the necessary data for the composition of the annual historical report, concerning HAF’s activities in war and peace
- The monitoring and studying of the Unit Logs
- The publication of historical reports, concerning the development and activities of the HAF in the past
- The concentration of information and issuing of certificates, concerning units in battle zones
In 1961 the Department of Military Records became a Directorate of Military Records, while in 1962 it was renamed as History Directorate of the Hellenic Air Force, under the Chief of Branch A at the beginning and from 1969 under Branch B of the HAFGS (B7), including Department 1 (History), Department 2 (Photography) and Department 3 (General Archives).
In 1974 the Air Force Archives Service was established, with the concentration, classification and preservation of the Hellenic Air Force Archives as its mission, as well as the storing of Museum material.
The Air Force Archives Service was administratively and executively under the History Directorate, which included a Department of Historical Material – Museum – Monuments, an Office of Photographic – Cinematographic Material and a Department of General Archives.
In 1983 the Directorate of History became History Office under the Deputy Chief of the Air Force General Staff, while in 1987 the History Office, the HAF’s Museum Organization Office and the HAF Archives Service were unified and constituted an administratively independent unit of the HAFGS named “Air History Service, HAF”, under the General Staff. It included two basic Offices, History and Archives, since the HAF Museum was established as an independent unit in Dekelia Air Base from 1992.
In May 2005, the Hellenic Air Force History Service was incorporated as a Directorate of a new Unit, which was established, the Hellenic Air Force History Museum.
In 2018 the Museum of the Hellenic Air Force was incorporated in the Hellenic Air Force History Museum, which was also incorporated in the 123 Technical Training Group, as a Squadron.
In January 2022 the History Directorate, HAF was established under the Deputy Chief of Staff, HAFGS.
Mission
- The concentration of historical material, concerning fields of Air Force Activity
- The writing of the History of the HAF, historical monographies and studies, as well as providing of historical data to official agents and civilians
- The concentration and preservation of the Air Force Archives
The Hellenic Air Force History Directorate collaborates with the Hellenic Commission of Military History (HCMH) and the International Commission of Military History (ICMH), taking part in the organization and attendance of congresses and other activities.
Permanent Exhibition
A permanent Air Force exhibition was created in the central hall of the building that hosts the History Directorate, HAF. It presents, in a minimal way, the historical development of the Hellenic Air Force, from its first steps until today, highlighting its contribution in war and peace times. The Exhibits are important documents and photographs, individual flight books, military reports and establishment orders of Air Wings and Squadrons and Units’ reorganization orders.
The Exhibition is open from Monday to Friday to High Schools (Lyceum), Air Force Schools and Schools of the other Branches of the Armed Forces.
Free Entrance.
Access – Information Provision
The Hellenic Air Force History Directorate provides information and data to official agents and civilians. The applications are submitted by mail. The researchers can use the archive, having arranged an appointment.
The service operates from 08:00 to 14:00 and entrance is permitted by presenting on identity card. Access is allowed to all non classified files that have been happened 30 years ago and before.
Contact Info
1 Moraitini
17561 P. Faliro – Athens
GREECE
Tel: +30-2109411000
email:dis.hafgs@haf.gr
