The Hellenic Aviation Medicine Centre (HeAMC) was founded ο October 1956 to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding Hellenic Air Force and to contribute in pilots flight physiology training.
Vice-Commander Panagiotis Korobilis, MD (1906-1987) is considered as the pioneer in the establishment of the HeAMC, who in 1952 was sent for training in the US, thus becoming the first Greek officer to be trained in Aviation Medicine. Upon his return to Greece he contributed to establish the Center for Physical Examination of Flying Personnel (CPEFP). He also pioneered in the creation (in 1957) of the Aviation Medicine Training Center (AMTC) and is rightly regarded as the founder of Aviation Medicine in Greece.
In addition to the CPEFP, which operated as an independent unit at 251 Hellenic Royal Air Force General Hospital since 1952, in the structure of the newly established HeAMC, the Royal Aviation Selection Center (RASC) was also incorporated.
Initially, HeAMC was created and operated at facilities within the Dekelia Airport, in a building near the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) Academy.
A year later, in 1957, the Aviation Medicine Training Center (AMTC) was established, and in 1960 the first School in Aviation Medicine (SAM) was held. In the same year the first hypobaric chamber for the training of flying personnel in hypoxia was established in the HeAMC.
In 1972, the relocation of HeAMC followed, in its present location, within the camp of the 251 Air Force General Hospital.
The year 1979, was a major milestone in the development of HeAMC’s logistical infrastructure, as the present Hypobaric Chamber as well as the first Spatial Disorientation Device (SDD), capable of simulating the phenomenon of coriolis, were acquired that year.
In 1986, the Psychological Laboratory runs for the first time and takes final form four years later. In 1988 it operated within the HeAMC the first Course in Aviation Nursing and four years later, in 1992, the Aeromedical Physiology Course started operating.
In 2001, the installation of the ergospirometry laboratory was completed.
In 2002, the Hypobaric Chamber (HC) was upgraded and the SDD (which has since been exhibited at the Air Force Museum in Dekeleia) was replaced with a new model that could simulate a multitude of situations that can cause disorientation.
In October 2003, a Night Vision Cabinet was installed in addition to the Training Devices Department.
In 2009, the School’s Regulation of the HeAMC are revised and the Course in Aviation Nursing is reorganized into the Aviation Nursing and Aeromedical Evacuation Course (ANAEC).
In 2011, the 1st class of Refresher Course of ANAEC runs.
The “Aeromedical Physiology Training Program” program has received a “Certificate of Recognition” from the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command for the period 01-01-2015 to 01-01-2020.
