Emblem

“Mελέτη τό παν” (Studying is everything)

General

The 128th Telecommunications and Electronics Training Group (128TETG), in its almost seventy (70) years of operation, has been and still is the main center of further education and training of the Hellenic Air Force’s (HAF) staff specializing in Telecommunications and Electronics, offering consistently high level training, in accordance with the technological challenges, in the field of electronics. For this purpose, organized schools operate for Search RADAR, Wireless and Wired Communications, Electronic Warfare, Electronic Surveillance Systems and Radio Navigation Systems & Radio Aids in use by the Hellenic Air Force.

Along with the development of Information Technology (IT) and the ever-increasing use of relevant equipment and applications by the Hellenic Air Force (HAF), there are corresponding schools operating by providing training in program management as well as training in Computers and Networks maintenance.

Finally, the 128TETG provides, whenever required, training to personnel of other Branches of the Armed Forces, as well as the Hellenic Coast Guard and the Hellenic Police.

Location

The 128TETG is located in Kavouri, Attica

Established

1953

Subordination

Hellenic Air Training Command

Mission

The mission of the 128TETG is:

• The education and training of the permanent military and civilian personnel of the HAF in the fields of telecommunications and electronics
• The provision of training to conscripts in the specialization they acquire after their enlistment in the 124BTW
• The specialization training of Professional Enlisted Men
• The provision of support in matters of maintenance, supply, financial, healthcare, feeding, information technology, to adjacent units of the HAF: TEEF. NMS, 350GMW/21st GMS, GDTS, ADIS and MHD.

History

Following World War II and the upgrading of the Hellenic Air Force with modern telecommunications and RADAR systems equipment, the Hellenic Air Force staff at the time, realizing the operational value of technology and the necessity to provide high level training in the fields of telecommunications and electronics, moved towards the direction of establishing a new school.

It was after decided that the new school to be established would not be located at the Tatoi Airport, where schools of other specializations were already operating, but at its current location in Kavouri. The reasons which led to this particular decision were that the area, although outside the city plan, offered easy access and provision of electricity and telephone lines. Also, due to the location of the area, it was particularly suitable for the RADAR development and telecommunication systems.

In 1953, after the required land assurance, the construction of the necessary building facilities / infrastructure started.

The Unit initially operated in August 1955 under the temporary title School “S”, Kavouri, as a dependent Group under the AFTS (123TTW). By Decision of the Ministry of National Defence, with number Y.2125/ORG/7637/14-08-56, the 128TETG was established, subordinate to the 31st Air Training Headquarters based in Kavouri. By a new order of the HAGS, it was decided that the transition of the pre-existing School “S” to 128TETG should take place until September 1st, 1956, which is also considered as the Unit’s establishment date.

On September 1st, 1956, the Command handover / takeover ceremony of the 128TETG took place between the Commander of the AFTS Colonel Nikolaos Platis and Lieutenant Colonel Konstantinos Loukopoulos.

The Unit initially installed the Search RADAR AN/TPS-1D, the Altitude RADAR AN/TPS-10D as well as the AN/UPX-6N IFF type. Also, on September 27th, 1956, the Unit received a moving targets generator 15-J-l-C type RADAR for training purposes.

In the months ahead, the 128TETG was rapidly equipped with the necessary equipment such as technical manuals, training films and laboratory equipment while training programs were developed by already trained personnel. Conscripts’ training of relevant specializations such as Engineers and Teletype Operators, RADAR Engineers, Ground A/T Engineers, RADAR Operators and other, took place immediately, while in the following months postgraduate schools for permanent Air Force personnel of corresponding specializations and specialties were launched.

In 1957, the Unit undertook the training of the Air Force Technical NCO School (AFTNCOS, currently AFNCOS) Cadets specializing in Telecommunications-Electronics and Air Defence Controllers. Meanwhile, it was also used as an Education – Training Center for the Second Lieutenants of the Engineering Department specializing in Telecommunications-Electronics of the Hellenic Air Force Academy (HAFA).

In 1961 and 1963, the Reserve Air Crew Training Center operated in the Unit, which provided air radio operator and air navigator specializations.

During the periods 1978-1979 and 1981-1983, the 6th and 7th series of the Aerial Radio Navigators School (ARNS) were trained in the Unit.

In the summer of 1981, the AN/FPS-8 RADAR was installed and started operating in order to replace the AN/TPS-10D and AN/TPS-1D RADARs, which were used for more than 20 years mainly for training but for operational purposes also.

In 1987, the activities of the Unit concerning the training of the Air Force Technical NCO School’s Cadets, specializing in Telecommunications-Electronics and Air Defence Controllers, were transferred to Dekelia Air Base. At the same time, the Air Force Selection Center was established, to which the demanded support was provided whenever it was required to be activated.

In August 1988, the Women’s Training Center, known as WTC, started its operation. The successful implementation of this training led in 1989 to the establishment of the Five-Year Obligation Enlisted Men Training Center, which in 1993, was renamed to Five-Year Service Volunteers Training Center and following to Five-Year Service Volunteers Training School in which Professional Enlisted Men joined.

Following the devastating earthquake of September 1999, the Air Force Technical NCO School was relocated to 128TETG and in September 2001 the Aerial Radio Navigators School. The 128TETG was entrusted with the full support of the two schools.

In 2002, the RADAR station installed at the Unit was taken out of operational function and now its use is for demonstration purposes only.

In 2004, in the context of supporting the Athens Olympic Games, the Unit undertook the hospitality of the Hellenic Air Force’s personnel responsible for guarding the Olympic facilities. In total, it provided food, accommodation, transport and armament to about 600 people.

In May 2006, the construction works of the St. Nikolaos Holy Church at the Unit were completed and its Inauguration ceremony was held.

In July 2008, the ground based Satellite Meteorological Station, «ATHENS HRPT SAT STATION», member of the EUMETSAT network, was installed, covering the Southeastern Mediterranean.

Since December 2008, following the abolition of the 129SW, the Unit undertook the support, in various areas, of the Hellenic Air Force’s Units: TEEF, NMS, 350 GMW/21st GMS, GDTS, ADIS and MHD.

In January 2009, the Air Force Technical NCO School returned to its facilities in AB Dekelia.

Since September 2009, the National Meteorological Schools have also been operating at the 128TETG facilities.

In January 2010, as part of the ongoing quest for upgrading training provided by 128TETG, the Unit was certified as a Vocational Training Center by the National Organization for the Certification of Qualifications & Vocational Guidance, for the schools of the Professional Enlisted Men with Specialization in Telecommunications Engineers, Dining Services and Conscript Cooks, Teletype Engineers, Wireless Telecommunications Engineers and Wired Telecommunications Engineers.

In January 2014, its operating license was renewed by the National Organization for the Certification of Qualifications & Vocational Guidance as a Level 2 Lifelong Learning Center (KEDIVIM2), in accordance with the new national institutional framework.

In 2018, the Ground Based Satellite Meteorological Station «ATHENS HRPT SAT STATION» was upgraded, with new building facilities and modern antennas for receiving 2nd generation polar orbit satellites.

In 2021, the operation of the CISCO Academy was launched at the Unit, as well as the organization of a new communications network training system to support the HAF’s broadband network (IP HAF CORE NETWORK).

Since 2022, the 128TETG is in the process of setting up a training infrastructure for Radio Remote Control (Provide a Gateway between ACCS VCS and Radio Management System), via a NATO program.

Training

In order to carry out its training work, the Unit has at its disposal:

• Thirty three (33) Classrooms with a total capacity of 500 people of which:
  • Nineteen auditoriums with structured cabling and independent access capabilities to the MIS/HAF, AED/HAF and internet, as well as equipment to cover both IT and other areas that require workstations with PCs, such as the PYRSEIA system and the Electronic Warfare Systems Support schools.
  • Two electronics laboratories.
  • One Computer laboratory.
• One amphitheater with a capacity of two hundred and forty (240) people with modern audiovisual equipment.
• Fully equipped kitchens and two restaurants for practicing cooking and dining.

Post-Training Schools

• Information Technology (IT) Schools
• Τelecommunications Schools
• Radar Schools
• Radio-Navigation Systems School
• Miscellaneous-Joint Schools
• Training Schools (e.g. Quality Assurance School)
• Young Second Lieutenants Schools (specialization in Aircraft Engineering-Electronics Engineering)
• Enlisted Men Schools
• Professional Enlisted Men Schools

Contact

E-mail: 128seth@haf.gr