The first jets
In the 50’s, when Greece joined NATO, an extended plan of upgrading and developing was put into effect. Following that Hellenic Airforce HAF was organised on a new basis and adapted itself to the requirements of contemporary developments.
On September 21, 1951 the piston-engined aircraft were replaced by jets with the delivery of the T-33A training aircraft at Elefsis Air Base
In parallel, instead of the -hitherto- existing organisational structure of the Hellenic Air Force which included the Hellenic Air Force General Staff and the Air Bases, five levels of command were adopted: i.e the General Staff, the Hellenic Tactical Air Force HQ, the Combat Wings, the Groups and the Squadrons.
Setting up the HQ as an intermediate level of command between HAFGS and the Units proved to be a decisive measure for decentralisation and for the exercise of effective control.
In this context, on May 30, 1952, 110 Combat Wing was set up in Larissa. The reception of the first combat F-84G jets took place at the newly established wing and the first F-84G jet fighting Squadron, i.e. No 337 Fighting Bombing Squadron was formed.
In 1953, the first Acroteam was raised from No 337 Squadron; with four Thunderjets it participated in many air shows both in Greece and abroad, thus painting world-wide glory and fame. Gradually, four Fighting Bombing Squadrons, namely Nos 336, 338, 339 and 340 were formed with F-84 Gs.
