SPIRIT OF
CO-OPERATION
Speaking at the ‘Iniohos’ closing
ceremony on March 20, ADM
Evangelos Apostolakis, Greece’s
National Defense General Sta
chief, said: ‘What has pleased me is
the increased participation [in] the
exercise. In just three years, we [have]
managed to evolve ‘Iniohos’ into a
major international exercise, which
this year brings together participants
from many countries. Saying that, I
would like to cordially thank the Armed
Forces of Cyprus, Israel, Italy, United
Arab Emirates, [the] UK and US for their
signi cant contribution with assets
to the success of the exercise ‘Iniohos
2018’. I would also like to express my
appreciation for the participation of
Egypt, with an observer.‘It is a fact that the versatile
environment of [the] east Mediterranean
constitutes this area as one of the most
sensitive in the world. And nobody
can face this reality alone. We need to
co-ordinate and co-operate. And this is
what we are doing here today.
‘Exercise ‘Iniohos’ is a relatively new
but very signi cant addition in our
e orts to foster friendly relations and
co-operation between armed forces
who share concerns and face [the]
same challenges. With this exercise
we put another stepping stone in our
endeavor to promote stability and
peace in the area.
‘So, today we bring together NATO
and non-NATO armed forces. We bring
together friends that are committed to
safeguard peace. Today, we send a loud
and clear message that we co-operate,
that we are able to act e ciently
together in a highly demanding and
challenging operational environment.’Fighter Squadron/48th Fighter Wing at
RAF Lakenheath, UK, six Italian Air Force
A-200 Tornados from the 6° Stormo, six
United Arab Emirates Air Force Mirage
2000-9s operated by 71 Squadron and
Leonardo Helicopters AW139 combat
search and rescue helicopters from the
Cyprus Air Force’s 450 Squadron. Israel
was once again involved, bringing a
modest force of four F-16C Baraks for the
last week — a signi cantly reduced
presence when compared to
previous years.
The main scenarios involved large force
employment (LFE) packages of o ensive
‘Blue’ air going up against an enemy ‘Red’
air force, which defended a piece of
territory. The training missions
undertaken included the suppression of
enemy air defenses (SEAD), o ensive
counter-air/air eld attack, air
interdiction/special targets, anti-surface
warfare, target combat air patrol
(TARCAP), high-asset value combat air
patrol (HAVCAP), combat search and
rescue (CSAR), dynamic targeting, strike
co-ordination and reconnaissance, close
air support and time-sensitive targeting.
This year’s ‘Iniohos’ had two main
di erences compared with previous
events. Firstly, all participating
squadrons with an air-to-air capabilitywere given the chance to join the ‘Red’
force, ying in mixed formations with
HAF squadrons. Their mission was to
defend their area of responsibility in
co-operation with the ground forces and
naval assets. Last year only two units
acted as ‘Reds’ — the HAF’s 330 and
337 Miras.The second, and most important, feature
this year was that missions were not
independent e orts but part of a larger
campaign that lasted almost two weeks
and took place over the entire Greek
territory. The latter characteristic is what
makes ‘Iniohos’ a unique event — Greece
o ers large areas with a variety of terrain,Below: An F-15E
fl ies near Mount
Olympus during
the exercise.
Right page top
to bottom: Fast
jets from most
Hellenic Air
Force squadrons
participated in the
exercise including
the newest F-16Cs
from Araxos.
The Greek pilots
took turns to play
‘Red’ aggressor
forces and also
partner with
visiting assets.
Showing an
impressive
tally of mission
markings from a
recent combat
deployment, this
F-15E taxies out
for a mission at
Andravida.EXERCISE REPORT // INIOHOS 2018
66 June 2018 //^ http://www.combataircraft.net
64-69 Iniohos C.indd 66 19/04/2018 15:38