--- title: "This Greek Air Combat Exercise Was A Low-Level Fighter Flying Paradise" description: "The biggest iteration of the Iniohos exercise brought together a very diverse range of aircraft types and nations in western Greece. The biggest iteration of the Iniohos exercise brought together a diverse range of aircraft types and nations in western Greece." date: "2025-04-15" modified: "2025-04-15" authors: - name: "Thomas Newdick" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick.md" url: "https://www.twz.com/air/this-greek-air-combat-exercise-was-a-low-level-fighter-flying-paradise" categories: - "Air" - "Air Combat Exercises" - "Air Forces" - "Around The Globe" - "Europe" - "Fighters" - "Flight Training" - "Hellenic Air Force" - "NATO" - "News & Features" --- # This Greek Air Combat Exercise Was A Low-Level Fighter Flying Paradise ![Iniochos 2025 will involve a large number of HAF assets, such as fighters, Air Defence Systems, helicopters, transport and training aircraft. Additionally, Hellenic Army and Navy assets and personnel will contribute significantly to the creation of complex and realistic scenarios across the exercise areas which spread over the Greek mainland and sea.]() *Rich Cooper* After three weeks of air warfare training over the Greek mainland and sea, the [Hellenic Air Force]()’s (HAF) multinational Iniochos exercise wrapped up Sunday. This year’s maneuvers involved a remarkably wide variety of air forces and types and provided a unique opportunity to see [tactical aircraft put through their paces at low level]() through the spectacular mountainous scenery of western Greece. Aviation photographer and [*TWZ* contributor]() Rich Cooper was in Greece and now shares with us some of the highlights of the exercise, which was hosted out of Andravida Air Base, home to the HAF Air Tactics Center. ![]() *A stunning formation photo over the Aegean Sea provides an idea of the variety of aircraft types and nations involved in Iniochos 2025. *Rich Cooper* RCP\_* The 2025 iteration of Iniochos began March 24 and concluded April 13, with training on a wide range of missions. These comprised Offensive Counter Air Operations (OCA), Defensive Counter Air Operations (DCA), Strategic Air Operations, Air Power Contribution to Counter-Land Operations (APCLO), Air Power Contribution to Maritime Operations (APCMO), Reconnaissance Missions (RECCE), Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Time Sensitive Target (TST), and High Value Airborne Asset (HVAA). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_7BlBQr84M https://twitter.com/HAFspokesperson/status/1910951019133231402 Reflecting the growing use of virtual training aids in air warfare training, Iniochos 2025 also made use, for the first time, of F-16 tactical simulators of the HAF’s newly established Synthetic Training Squadron. ![]() *A Hellenic Air Force F-16 fitted with conformal fuel tanks and displaying the Greek flag in the cockpit. *Rich Cooper* RICH\_COOPER* As well as putting multiple Hellenic Armed Forces assets — including ground-based air defenses — through their paces, the exercise also saw strong foreign participation, underscoring how these drills have become increasingly popular for a range of NATO, allied, and partner air forces. External participants this year included French [Μirage 2000D]() and Italian [Tornado]() strike fighters, Emirari [Μirage 2000-9](), Indian [Su-30MK](), Polish [F-16](), Qatari [F-15QA](), and [Spanish EF-18]() multirole fighters, Israeli [G550 signals intelligence]() (SIGINT) aircraft, Montenegrin Bell 412 utility helicopters, Slovenian PC-9 turboprop trainers, and U.S. Air Force F-16s as well as KC-46 and KC-135 aerial refueling tankers. ![]() *Few other places in the world offer the chance to see a Polish F-16 take part in an air combat exercise with an Indian Flanker. *Rich Cooper* RCP\_* Israeli participation in Iniochos is not new, but remains noteworthy, for several reasons. In the past, the Israeli Air Force has [conducted exercises with the Hellenic Armed Forces]() to expose its assets to Greek-operated [S-300]() air defense systems, [originally procured for the protection of Cyprus](). These Russian-made surface-to-air missiles are notably operated by Iran and Syria. Meanwhile, Greek jets have also flown in Israel’s corresponding [Blue Flag]() maneuvers. Iniochos also provides a rare platform for the Israeli Air Force to take part in maneuvers alongside their counterparts from the Gulf states: in this instance, Qatar and the [United Arab Emirates](). Although Qatar and the UAE, like most of the Arab world, long rejected diplomatic ties with Israel, these policies have softened in recent years, and the UAE, in particular, has [cultivated increasing military relations with the country](). ![]() *Fighters old and new, as a Hellenic Air Force F-4E Phantom flies alongside a Qatar Emiri Air Force F-15QA. *Rich Cooper* RCP\_* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEMcOJaQr4M Nevertheless, in light of general security concerns, the Israeli Ministry of Defense typically provides very few details about the Israeli Air Force’s participation in Iniochos, but did provide some comments this time. The Israeli Air Force confirmed it sent [a single SIGINT-configured G550](), although in previous years it had sent several fighter jets and tankers, as well as surveillance aircraft. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said that its participation in the exercise was “intended to strengthen strategic cooperation with foreign armies, improve the competence of the participating forces, and give the crews a professional challenge in flight conditions in an unknown environment and with varying threats.” https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1910636475516936675 While classed as a medium-scale exercise, in terms of participating aircraft, this year’s Iniochos was the biggest since the maneuvers first took place [in the late 1980s](), which was as an all-Greek affair back then. The exercise had a notable focus on low-level flying, with most of the participants making good use of the Peloponnese mountain low-level flight training area. Low-level flying is a highly perishable skill and one that remains of critical importance for evading hostile air defense networks. Access to appropriate flight training areas is not always easy, so opportunities like this are very welcome for tactical fliers. Here is just a taste of what a few lucky spectators got to see flying down low in the Greek valleys and over the Aegean Sea during the 2025 edition of an exercise that’s clearly of growing significance. ![]() *Hellenic Air Force F-4E Phantom. *Rich Cooper* RICH\_COOPER* ![]() *Hellenic Air Force Mirage 2000-5. *Rich Cooper* RICH\_COOPER* ![]() *Hellenic Air Force F-16. *Rich Cooper* RICH\_COOPER* ![]() *French Air and Space Force Mirage 2000D. *Rich Cooper* RICH\_COOPER* ![]() *Indian Air Force Su-30MKI. *Rich Cooper* RICH\_COOPER* ![]() *Italian Air Force Tornado. *Rich Cooper* RICH\_COOPER* ![]() *Montenegrin Air Force Bell 412. *Rich Cooper* RICH\_COOPER* ![]() *Slovenian Air Force PC-9s. *Rich Cooper* RICH\_COOPER* ![]() *Spanish Air Force EF-18 Hornet. *Rich Cooper* RICH\_COOPER* ![]() *United Arab Emirates Air Force Mirage 2000-9. *Rich Cooper* RICH\_COOPER* ![]() *U.S. Air Force F-16. *Rich Cooper* RICH\_COOPER* Rich Cooper runs the Centre of Aviation Photography, which you can [check out here](), and you can see more of his work on [Instagram](). *Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com* ## Author Thomas Newdick is a staff writer at *TWZ*, where he covers military aviation, defense technology, weapons systems, and international security. Based in Berlin, Germany, he reports on conflicts, military modernization efforts, and emerging aerospace technologies around the world, with a particular interest in airpower and its role in contemporary warfare. His reporting is informed by deep expertise in modern and historical airpower, particularly in Europe, with a focus on military aviation, air campaigns, and aerospace developments across the continent and beyond. Over a journalism career spanning more than 25 years, Thomas has become known for making complex defense and aerospace topics accessible to a broad audience. His reporting combines technical expertise, historical context, and a focus on the real-world operational and strategic implications of military developments. ### Author social links [Twitter]()