335th Squadron (HAF)
Military unit / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about 335th Squadron (HAF)?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
The 335th Squadron (Greek: 335 Μοίρα, 335 M), callsign "Tigers", is the oldest squadron in service with the Hellenic Air Force formed on the 10th of October 1941 at Aqir airfield in Palestine as a unit in exile.[1] It is based at Araxos Air Base in the Peloponnese, forming part of the 116th Combat Wing. Until March 2008, the squadron was equipped with the A-7H Corsair, and is operating with 30 newly purchased F-16 Block 52+ aircraft.[2]
335th Squadron | |
---|---|
335 Μοίρα | |
Active | 7 October 1941–Present |
Country | Greece |
Branch | Hellenic Air Force |
Role | Multirole |
Part of | 116th Combat Wing |
Garrison/HQ | Araxos Air Base |
Aircraft flown | |
Bomber | F-16 Block 52+ |
During World War II it served under the Royal Air Force as a unit in exile operating in the middle east. Participating in convoy protection, bomber escort, and ground attack roles. Significant battles which the squadron was involved with include the Second Battle of El Alamein, and the Italian campaign. In November the Greek squadrons returned to liberated Greece, where they were engaged in operations against the remaining German garrisons in the Aegean islands and Crete. On 31 July 1945, the squadron was disbanded from the RAF and transferred to Greek control. The motto of the 335th Squadron: Αίεν Υψικρατείν ("Always dominate the Heights") is now the official motto of the Hellenic Air Force.
Following the hand-over, the squadron was deployed to Sedes Air Base near Thessaloniki. From there, after the outbreak of the Greek Civil War, the squadron participated in operations against the Communist guerrillas with Spitfire Mk Vbs and a small number of captured Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6s. In June 1947 it was equipped with Spitfires Mk IX and XVI, which were retained until October 1953, when the squadron, now based at Elefsis, was equipped with jet aircraft: the US-made F-84 Thunderjet fighter-bombers and RT-33A reconnaissance aircraft. On 3 April 1993, the squadron was established as the 335th Bomber Squadron (335 Μοίρα Βομβαρδισμού), flying the A-7H Corsair, from a batch of 62 aircraft handed over by the US Air Force as surplus following the First Gulf War. The squadron operated the aircraft until 2008, when it began receiving new F-16 Block 52+ Advanced aircraft. Converted to a multirole squadron, it became operational with the type in February 2010.