Hellenic Air Force War College

Σχολή Διοίκησης & Επιτελών ΠΑ (πρώην Σχολή Πολέμου Αεροπορίας)

Emblem

“Mάθη γάρ τοι φρένας αύξει” (Education enlarges the mind)

(Embedocles)

In this motto Empedocles, a presocratic philosopher,emphasizes the importance of learning, since education cultivates the mind and gives man precious experience.

Location

The Hellenic Air Force War College is located in Dekelia Air Base, Tatoi

Established

1957

Mission

The Hellenic Air Force War College’s (HAFWC) mission is to provide Officers theoretical and practical training for further extension of their Staff and command capability to carry out their duties as Staff Officers and Commanders. The mission of the Hellenic HAFWC’s mission in particular is:

a. To provide Officers theoretical and practical training in order to improve their Staff and command capability to carry out their duties as Staff Officers and Commanders.

b. To provide specific, theoretical and practical education to the military and Civilian Personnel aiming to efficiency, regarding the Air Force’s mission accomplishment.

c. To be aware of the scientific and technological developments regarding Aerospace in order to define and disseminate principles -internationally derived from scientific research – technological application and the followed practice, ensuring the effective use of the Air Force.

Moreover, scientific research as well as the elaboration of studies in the field of Aviation Science and strategy is also included within the context of the HAFWC’s mission.

History

As the Air Force was rapidly developed all over the world, made the staff Officers education and training more imperative than ever before. In order Hellenic Air Force to comply with this development, established the HAFWC, adopting the standards of the Western world advanced Air Forces. The first location of the HAFWC was in the Air Force facilities in Athens, Paleo Faliro.

At the first three (3) years of its operation (1957-1960), the HAFWC trained Senior Officers, exclusively. However, the need of qualified training in staff positions, led to the establishment for the first time in 1960, of a separate department aiming to train Junior Staff Officers (J.S.O). Initially the training duration was two (2) months but later extended to three and a half months. At the same time, the Senior Staff Officer Department continued providing training and improving the educational program holding operational exercises and other essential subjects.

In 1963 was determined that it should be a separation between Junior’s and Senior’s Officer training Department. Furthermore, the duration of Senior Officer’s training extended to five and a half months. Training programs as well as Rules of Procedure of the School were thoroughly reviewed. In December 1963 the College was relocated to Dekelia Base.

In 1964 a “Preparatory Course” was established, aiming at the preparation of Senior Officers, who were selected to be trained in the National Defense College (NDC). In July 1965 the HAFWC’ s Department for Junior Officers was renamed to Junior Staff Officer School with a duration of four and a half months. In October of the same year, the duration of Senior Officers course was also extended to nine (9) months and the training program was improved.

In 1969, successfully graduating the HAFWC was established as a qualification for Officer promotion. As a result, the College started providing training in September 1969, based on the reviewed training programs and the duration of the courses was tailored to the Hellenic Air Force’s actual needs.

In 1987 the HAFWC was considered as a united training center for all Staff Officers. For this reason, the following activities were also included:

Schools for Staff Officer (SSO) such as:
- Training Administration School – Instruction System Development
- Instructors School
- Flight Safety School
- Intelligence School
- School on Computer Science
- Foreign Language School (F.L.S.)
Scientific Library

In 1998 a new department for Junior Officers starting their career as NCO’s was established. The new department’s name was HAFWC/ Junior Officers which later were renamed to Air Force School for Junior Officers (AFS/JO) and the duration of the training was designated to one (1) month. Its mission is the training of the HAF Officers in order to become capable carrying out administrative duties as head Staff Officers. The first class initiated the training on November 1st 1999.

In May 2003, 30th, the HAFWC /Senior Officers terminated its operation due to the reorganization of the War Colleges in the Hellenic Armed Forces and the establishment of the Supreme Joint War College in Thessaloniki.

In January 2004, the Supreme Air Force Council decided that, the Hellenic Air Force College should be reorganized and incorporate the following schools:

The Air Force Command and Staff Course (AFCSC)
The Air Force School for Junior Officers (AFS/JO)
Foreign Language School (FLS)
Flight Safety School (FSS)
Accident Prevention School (APS)
Training Administration School (TAS)
Intelligence Officers School (IO)
The school for Nuclear Biological and Chemical Warfare

In 2012, the Air Force War College was renamed to Air Force Command and Staff College (AFCSC) and the Human Performance in Military Aviation School (HPMA) was added. In addition, it is planned to host a number of educational activities, such as training seminars, workshops, language proficiency testing exams, as well as educational series in addition to the above. As a result, was established The Instructor School.

In May 2019, 3rd, the Air Force Command and Staff College renamed to Air War College.

In February 2023, 9th, the Air War College renamed to Hellenic Air Force War College.

Training

According to its mission, the main aim of the AFCSC is to develop a training of specific duration, educational principles, methodology and a curriculum of high quality wide spectrum. The education is based on Principles such as the Academic Freedom, Dialectical Process and Active Participation. The duration and the partial objectives are as follows:

The AFCSC is a three (3) to four (4) month course. The training program is based on four (4) sectors of studies:
- Section «A» Communication – Staff Responsibilities
- Section «B» Leadership – Administration – Commandment
- Section «C» Doctrine – Strategy – Air Operations
- Section «D» National Affairs – International Relationships
Air Force School for Junior Officers is a three (3) to four (4) week course and the training program is based on two sectors of studies:
- Section «A» Communication – Staff responsibilities
- Section «B» Leadership Administration.
The Foreign Languages School includes the English and Turkish Language Departments:
- The English Language Department lasts approximately three (3) months (the exact duration of study is based on service needs) and includes the subjects of Grammar, Syntax, Translation and Communication.
- The Turkish Language Department lasts approximately eleven (11) months (the exact duration of study is based on service needs) and includes the subjects of Grammar, Syntax, Translation, Aviation Phraseology, Hearing and Analysis.
Flight Safety School is an eight (8) week course and includes the objectives of Human Factor-Accident Prevention-Aviation Technology and Accident Investigation.
Training Administration School is a five (5) week course and includes: Project and Training requirements – Objective Tests – Teaching Planning and Development – Training Evaluation.
Intelligence Officers School is a six (6) week course and includes: Organization and Office Structure-National Issues Provision of constant, prompt and interactive flow of the Information on National and NATO levels- countries of Interest – National Issues and objectives of general interest.
Accident Prevention School is a two (2) to three (3) week course and includes the objectives of Human Factor – Accident Prevention-Hygiene and Safety.
School for Nuclear Biological and Chemical Warfare is a two (2) to three (3) week course and includes the objectives of Human Factor – Accident Prevention – Hygiene and Safety.
Ground Instructors School is a five (5) week course and includes the objectives: Learning psychology-Communication- Lesson Planning – Audio Visual means Reference books.

It is remarked that in the concept of a long time and cost effective training regional classes for GIS and AFS/JO are organized at remote air bases. Especially for AFS/JO, courses are also being attended through video teleconference (VTC).

Moreover the implementation of an internet educational platform is in progress, aiming to provide an integrated Internet Distance Learning (IDL) capability.

Training Methods

According to Article 40 of the Academy’s Constitution the training at Air Force Command and Staff College (AFCSC) is done in accordance with the training program using the following methods:

Lectures: Presentation of subjects by the training personnel, invited Speakers – Lecturers
Seminars: Guided conversation with active participation of the students of the Academy
Exercises: Accomplished during Seminars either on a personal or teamwork basis.
Tasks/Practices: Designed by the Academy based on the curriculum, described in the study program and analyzed in detail by written and oral guidelines which comprise:
- Personal Exercises: Written and oral personal exercises
  - Written exercises: accomplished by the students according to the detailed program and the guidance of the Academy.
  - Oral exercises: Unfolding of a specific subject, approved by the Academy in order to increase the student’s fluency in speech.
- Team-works: Accomplished during seminars for training groups in order to solve problems of administrative and operational nature.
- Exercise “Essay” or “Dissertation”. Written, personal exercise concerning subjects of the study fields.
Educational journeys and visits: Educational journeys and visits in the inland and abroad at places with specific interest concerning the training purposes of the Academy.
Meetings: Meetings about interesting subjects of the Departments of Study, defined by article 39 of the Academy’s Constitution.

ALUMNI

Publications

The School has been responsible for the publication and distribution of Air Inspection Magazine since 1972 in addition to its educational activities.

The magazine is published every four (4) months and is available exclusively in electronic form, with free access to all interested parties through the Hellenic Air Force website.

On 28th December, 2007 the magazine was awarded by the Athens Academy.

Informative Brochure

Contact

E-mails: cmdr.asp@haf.gr , asp@haf.gr