RAF Takes Part In Greek Air Force Exercise For First Time In Years

The station commander at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire has visited 3 (Fighter) Squadron as it takes part in a NATO exercise in Greece.

Exercise Iniochos 18 is a multi-national air warfare exercise that is organised annually by Greece's Hellenic Air Force.

This year, 3 (Fighter) squadron is joined by the United States, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus and Israel.

Over 70 fast jets of various types have been flying on sorties that have built up to simulate full-scale warfighting across Greek airspace.

Group Captain Mike Baulkwill said:

"It is one of the pleasures of my role as station commander to visit personnel from RAF Coningsby when they are deployed on operations and exercises to see how well they are doing their jobs.

"A bonus for this visit is that I will also have the opportunity to fly a sortie on this exercise."

Summing up the exercise, the officer commanding of 3 (F) Sqn, Wing Commander Lewis Cunningham, said:

"This has been the first time that Typhoon has deployed to Greece."

"This exercise offers us a great opportunity to prepare for future operations and strengthens our existing relationship with the Greek Armed Forces."

This the first time the RAF have participated in the exercise for many years.

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