The Israeli Air Force will again train together with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) air force, this time in Greece.
The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) is hosting the Iniohos 2017 multinational exercise, which includes air forces from Greece, the US, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Italy.
In the coming 10 days, the forces will conduct large scale air operations in some of the most suitable, and most challenging European airspace.
A different mission in a different warfare scenario flies each day.
During the exercise flight crews of the participating nations, air defense systems personnel, and Special Ops members exchange their views and ideas.
Though their operational languages differ, they share common objectives.
Chief of Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General Christos Vaitsis stated in 2016 that the goal is for Iniohos to become the largest multinational exercise in the European theatre.
The Iniohos exercise dates back to the late 80s, when it was established as a small scale air warfare exercise with only aircraft from the HAF. In 2005, Iniohos was transformed into a medium scale exercise involving all three branches of the Hellenic Armed Forces. In November 2013 Iniohos became an Invitex exercise, meaning other nations could participate.
Israel participated in the 2015 and 2016 sessions.
The Israel Air Force (IAF) has already flown with UAE pilots during the Red Flag exercise in the US last year.The Pakistani air force also participated.
In November the IAF will host over 100 aircraft and hundreds of support crew in a two-week long Blue Flag drill, the largest such exercise in its history.
“Everybody wants to engage and cooperate with the IAF. It’s a privilege,” Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, the IAF’s chief of international affairs, stated about the pending massive drill.
By: United with Israel Staff