Emblem

Theseus, is showing the target to a pair of combat aircraft.
Call Sign: THESEUS

Location

114 Combat Wing – Tanagra Air Base

Established

1988

Aircraft served

• Mirage 2000 EGM/BGM

Aircraft serving

• Mirage 2000-5

Mission

The mission of the Squadron is to maintain a high level of readiness and effectiveness. It is achieved by the appropriate organization, training of personnel and maintenance of the available means and systems. Furthermore, the undertaking and carrying out of air operations, at any given time, in total success.

History

The 331 Squadron was founded on the 18th of April 1988 aiming at the acceptance of the new Mirage 2000 EGM/BGM aircrafts for H.A.F. Emblem of the Squadron is the Ancient Greek hero Thisseas.

The first aircrafts landed in Tanagra Air Base on the 27th of April 1988 and immediately began the training of the first pilots from French instructors. In short time the Squadron was manned by experienced pilots selected from various Squadrons of the Hellenic Air Force.

The main operational role of the Squadron is all weather interception. For this purpose, it has in its arsenal Magic II missiles, along with S-530D, which combined with the complete protection system ICMS, render Mirage 2000 EG/Mk-I the most complete deterring weapon in the Aegean. Furthermore, in the spring of 1999, one more dominant weapon is added, the AM-39 EXOCET missile and since then the Squadron assumes the role of air-to-surface targeting.

On March 1st 2007, the Squadron began the preparation to receive the new aircrafts Mirage 2000-5. On March 3rd of the same year, the first M2000-5 ICMS Mk-III landed on the 114 Combat Wing in Tanagra. The training of Greek pilots by French pilots of FAF and DASSAULT began immediately after, so that in May 2008 the evaluation of the Squadron would be concluded. The successful progress of the Squadron continued, while it was upgraded with even more modern weapons such as the MICA EM/IR missiles, as well as the SCALP missile which made extremely long distance air-to-ground targeting possible.

In 2009, the Squadron was evaluated by NATO Evaluation (FORCEVAL), achieving the grade «Excellent» in all fields.