Greece VI 2024
Ramstein Flag is an Allied Air Command sponsored tactical level LIVEX series aiming to provide participating nations, as the Primary Training Audience, high-end training opportunities that include realistic problem sets in a complex operational environment.
The 2024 and first edition was held in Greece, with Andravida as Main Operating Base. A good opportunity to combine one of the Spotters Days with a visit to the low flying area.
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Chances are that we will return to Greece for a comparable tour. If you want to be informed if we have details about this, please click the button to send us a message.
On Sunday 6 October 2024, a small group gathered at Schiphol for the flight to Athens where we arrived just after 20.00. After picking up the rental van, we headed to our favourite hotel in Diakopto for a good night’s sleep.
Monday 7 October 2024 was the first day we would spend in the low flying area. An early start and a good climb later we positioned ourselves at the commonly used spot. The morning started out great with 8 passes of Nea Anchalios based F-16s in beautiful weather. Unfortunately, the afternoon was not quote as busy but still nice to catch up with so many fellow photographers. The evening was enjoyed at the hotel with good food and drinks, overlooking the beautiful coastline.
The Hellenic Air Force planned a Spotters Day on Tuesday 8 October 2024 so we had some driving to do from our hotel to the base. Over the years, the Hellenic Air Force has gained a lot of experience with these days so entrance procedures were smooth and quick. As there only would be an afternoon mission, we were positioned on the ‘afternoon’ spot at the base, meaning the sun would get better for photography as the day progressed. Take-offs for the exercise were still somewhat with harsh light but landings and taxiing later in the afternoon were in beautiful autumn light. All participating Air Forces took to the sky, although the Hellenic participants were operating from Araxos. At the end of the day, we were pleasantly surprised by the Canadian Airbus doing a fly-by over the base. After that, a smooth ride to the hotel for some well-deserved diner!
Both Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 October 2024 were spent in the low-flying area but resulted in nothing. That is the risk of visiting these areas; they can be very long and boring days, alternated with action packed moments. All in the game! At the end of Thursday we drove back to Athens for our flight home with some really nice pictures taken. It could have been more but certainly a lot less!
The next Ramstein Flag exercise is scheduled to take place at Leeuwarden in the spring of 2025.
