The mission of the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) is to develop and maintain a high level of Air Power, through the efficient organization, equipment, and training of its personnel. This Air Power must be capable of contributing to deterrence, conducting immediate, intensive, and sustained air operations to gain and maintain air superiority, ensuring the country’s air defense, and supporting the operations of the other Branches of the Armed Forces, thereby advancing national objectives.
Additionally, during peacetime, the HAF participates in:
Civil Planning for Emergency Response and carries out significant tasks for the benefit of society, including:
Aerial Firefighting missions, providing aerial support to the work of the Fire Service.
Search and Rescue missions, in cooperation with the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) of the Hellenic Coast Guard.
Aeromedical evacuation missions for patients and the transport of organs, in support of the National Center for Emergency Care (EKAV).
Missions for the evacuation of people, and the transport of supplies, food, and other materials in cases of natural or other types of disasters, both domestically and abroad, wherever required
- Participation in multinational operations and humanitarian missions under United Nations mandates, with the aim of contributing to the preservation of International Peace and Security.
Air Firefighting
The Hellenic Air Force, possessing a fleet of firefighting aircraft consisting of CL-415, CL-215, and PZL M-18B, actively participates each year in the mission of the Fire Service.
From the beginning of the fire season on May 1st until its end on October 31st, HAF aircraft operate either from their home bases or from designated dispersal airfields to which they are redeployed, in order to reach fire outbreaks across the country in a timely manner, in accordance with the planning of the Fire Service. Their crews remain on standby from first light until last light of the day.
At the same time, patrol and forest surveillance flights are carried out over the entire country for the timely detection of fire outbreaks, both by firefighting aircraft and other HAF aircraft (such as training aircraft, etc.). Aircraft conducting various missions notify the competent authorities in the event a fire outbreak is identified. This ensures early warning and immediate response by both ground and aerial forces, thereby contributing effectively to the protection of our natural resources.
Additionally, the HAF provides personnel and means for the surveillance (patrols) of areas at high risk of fire outbreaks, while it also supplies specialized personnel and equipment to ground firefighting forces whenever and wherever needed.
Search and Rescue (S.A.R)
According to Article 25 of Law 211/1947, “Ratification of the Convention on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” Greece has undertaken the obligation to provide Search and Rescue (SAR) services for flight crews and passengers who are in danger or require immediate assistance within the area of responsibility of the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR).
In the event of an aviation accident, the Hellenic Air Force holds the responsibility and capability to respond immediately in order to provide SAR services for flight crews in danger or in need of urgent assistance. For this purpose, it operates AS-332C1 Super Puma and AB-205 helicopters. Additionally, the Super Puma helicopters, in cooperation with personnel from the 31st Search and Rescue Operations Squadron, are capable of executing Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions for flight crews located in hostile territory.
Alongside these missions, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Citizen Protection and the Hellenic Coast Guard, HAF helicopters provide search and rescue services for individuals in danger at sea or following an aviation accident within the jurisdiction of the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC), which coincides with the Athens FIR. Furthermore, HAF assets participate in missions providing assistance to individuals whose lives are at risk in incidents not related to maritime or aeronautical search and rescue.
The coordination of the involved services (Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority, General Secretariat for Civil Protection, Fire Service, National Emergency Aid Center) and the aerial assets activated in the event of an aviation or maritime accident, or for the search for missing persons, is undertaken by the Air Branch of the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC/AB), which falls under the responsibility of the HAF.
To ensure the successful execution of SAR missions, rapid response teams are stationed at selected locations across the country and are on 24-hour readiness, 365 days a year. In addition to HAF helicopters, SAR operations involve C-130, C-27J, CL-215, and CL-415 aircraft.
Air Transports and MEDEVAC
A highly significant contribution of the Hellenic Air Force to society is the execution of medical air evacuations, both within Greece and abroad. These evacuations involve the transport of patients or injured individuals in need of immediate medical assistance from remote or isolated areas, border islands, or even from ships, using the aircraft and helicopters at the HAF’s disposal. In addition, HAF assets also carry out urgent air transport of organs for transplantation, both domestically and internationally.
This mission has been assigned by decision of the Minister of National Defense (Government Gazette 746B/2 June 2005) to the Chief of the HAFGS, for the benefit of the National Center for Emergency Care (EKAV). The mission is primarily executed using HAF assets, and when necessary, with aircraft belonging to Units under the operational command of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff.
The Hellenic Air Force maintains 24-hour readiness, 365 days a year, with Super Puma, AB-205, B-212, AW-109S (Stavros Niarchos Foundation) and A-109 helicopters, as well as C-130, C-27J, B-350C and B-360C (Stavros Niarchos Foundation) aircraft. During these flights, EKAV medical and nursing personnel accompany the patients.
