History
The Air to Ground Operations School (AGOS) was founded on 28/02/1949 in Athens, under the name “School of Air-Army-Navy-Cooperation” and was initially operated under adverse conditions due to the events of the time.
The School trained many of the Officers of the Hellenic Armed Forces and set up Air-to-Surface bases in Tactical Operation, which until then was unknown. The graduates immediately occupied vital positions in the Offices of the Fighting Wings and Formations and were the most essential factor in the utilization of Air Potential.
The School continued to operate after the termination of operations as an independent unit until 1953, when it was renamed to “Air Force-Army-Cooperation Center” and was transported to Larissa under the 28th Chief HTAC.
In April 1957, it was renamed to “Ground Air Training Center” and the Center’s training competences were further expanded. The duration of training was set in two two-week courses and the new Operation Regulations entered into force.
In October 1967 the Center was renamed to “AIR -SURFACE OPERA-TIONS EDUCATIONAL CENTER” with a renewed Operation Regulation and at the same time a limitation of the training time to 14 working days. The Center continues its operation in this form in Larissa until August 1983.
With the foundation of the AIRTAC in 1983 on the Air Force Base of Andravida is renamed to Forward Air Controller School and is under the management of AIRTAC, where it operates until today in the form of a small-scale school. In 2009, its operation was suspended and resumed in 2013, upgraded according to the NATO standards.
Mission
The Air to Ground Operations School mission is:
- Academic and practical training of the HAF staff and other Armed Corps in air-to-surface operations.
- Familiarize the Armed Forces staff with regard to how they work to promote their cooperation at the Tactical and Operational level.
- Study and suggestion for review or improvement of procedures that promote the “request, approval, availability” and “timing” circuit of the Air Force Resources for Air Support missions in time.
Provided Training
According to annual training sessions, two Primary Editions run each year, for four weeks of training and one week of Maintenance, with the participation of executives from Armed Forces.
Practical training is conducted on realistic scenarios and is based, as far as possible, on a more prudent depiction of co-operation, coordination and procedures for the deployment of Air Support missions for the benefit of friendly forces to combat and neutralize hostile objectives.
