Emblem

Hawk and Thunder crossing the darkness
Call Sign: THUNDER

Location

111 Combat Wing – Nea Aghialos Air Base

Established

1989

Aircraft served

• F-16 C/D

Aircraft serving

• F-16 C/D Block 30

Mission

The mission of the 330 Squadron (SQN) is to maintain a high level of readiness and effectiveness, in order to conduct successful air operations whenever needed in accordance with current plans. It is achieved by the appropriate organization, training of personnel and maintenance of the available means and systems.

History

In April 1988, 4th Hellenic Air Force General Staff (HAFGS) considering Supreme Air Force Council’s decision about «M-2000 Squadron constitution and F-16 C/D» ordered the Hellenic Tactical Air Force Command (HTAFC) to create the 330 Squadron, with call sign «THUNDER».

In January 1989, 9th the newly established squadron started operating at the 111CW, having the «eagle» and the «thunder» as an emblem. At that period the Hellenic Air Force started receiving the new F-16 C/D BLK 30, until January 1990.

The Squadron was firstly manned by Pilots and Technical staff trained in the USA. This staff in cooperation with American Trainers took over the entire staff’s training. After the Hellenic Tactical Air Force Command (HTAFC) evaluation on April 1990 4th, Squadron was declared as fully operational, having two (2) main roles. Firstly, Interception and secondly Bombing .

The Squadron took part in many national, multinational, and NATO exercises. The 330 Squadron participates in all National Air and Intersectional exercises. A typical example is that the 330SQN was the first Squadron to participate in “Toxotis – Nikiforos” operating from the 115CW.

Since being part of NATO, 330SQN has participated in a lot of European countries’ exercises, such as Destined Glory, Clean Hunter, NAM, Ample Train, Dynamic Mix, Able Gain, Spring Flag etc. In 2006, 330SQN was successfully evaluated at In Place Forces evaluation. A lot of exercises have taken place in Squadron’s facilities, in collaboration with other countries’ Air Forces such as RAF, RNAF, USAF, GAF, RBAF, RSAF, TUAF etc.

Furthermore, 330SQN maintains National and NATO readiness.