Hunting SAMs over Mount Olympus

摘要

Between April 1 and 12, Exercise Iniochos 2019 (Charioteer 2019), involving 87 fixed-wing aircraft including 83 fighter jets, two UAVs and six helicopters, was held at Andravida Air Base in Greece. This year's exercise was primarily focused on the suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) role and was perhaps driven by Turkey's infamous acquisition of the Russian S-400 SAM or surface-to-air missile system, which has led to a rift between the US and its NATO ally. Every year, between September and November, Polemiki Aeroporia (Hellenic Air Force) fighter jet crews train at Andravida with the Kentro Aeroporikis Taktikis (KEAT or Air Tactics Centre). The training course comprises two phases each lasting six weeks. The first inculcates the theory of combat tactics in lessons on the ground and in the air, and in the second part the students hone their skills to a fine edge.