From Friday 13 to Friday 27 October 2023, and within the wider planning of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS) in terms of international cooperation, the Hellenic Armed Forces participated in the Multinational Air Exercise “OCEAN SKY 2023”. The said exercise was held under the direction and coordination of the Spanish Air Force (SAF) at Gando Air Base in the Canary Islands of Spain.

“OCEAN SKY 2023” is an INVITEX – LIVEX (Invitation to an Exercise – Live Exercise) exercise that takes place annually. Its purpose is to train the participants in Air to Air missions which created a highly demanding operational environment, contributing to the promotion of the level of operational readiness, combat capability, and cooperation of the participants in a multilateral and allied context.

According to a relevant announcement, Greece participated in the exercise with 4 F-16 Aircraft and the corresponding support personnel. Spain, Portugal, and Turkey also participated with air means as well as aircraft from the European Air Transport Command – EATC (1 KC767 aircraft from Italy, 1 A330 MRTT aircraft from France, and 1 F A400M aircraft from Spain).

During the exercise, the following complex operational scenarios were examined in a multi-threat environment:

• Offensive Counter Air (OCA),
• Defensive Counter Air (DCA),
• High-Value Airborne Asset Attack/Protect (HVAA Attack/Protect) missions,
• Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR).

Also read: HNDGS | Multinational Exercise “AEGEAN SEAL I/2023” – Photos