The 341st Squadron (, ),

callsign In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign (also known as a call name or call letters—and historically as a call signal—or abbreviated as a call) is a unique identifier for a transmitter station. A call sign can be formally assi ...

Arrow An arrow is a fin-stabilized projectile launched by a bow. A typical arrow usually consists of a long, stiff, straight shaft with a weighty (and usually sharp and pointed) arrowhead attached to the front end, multiple fin-like stabilizers c ...

" (), is a squadron in service with the

Hellenic Air Force The Hellenic Air Force (HAF; , sometimes abbreviated as ΠΑ) is the air force of Greece (''Hellenic'' being the endonym for ''Greek'' in the Greek language). It is considered to be one of the largest air forces in NATO, and is globally placed 1 ...

, forming part of the 111th Combat Wing. It is based at Nea Anchialos Air Base, and operates the F-16 Block 50 aircraft. Alongside interception, the squadron specializes in

SEAD Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD ), also known in the United States as "Wild Weasel" and (initially) "Iron Hand" operations, are military actions to suppress enemy surface-based air defenses, including surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), ant ...

tactics.

History

The squadron was established in 1954 as the 341st Day Interceptor Squadron (341 Μοίρα Αναχαίτισης Ημέρας), at the

Elefsis Air Base Elefsina () or Eleusis ( ; ) is a suburban city and Communities and Municipalities of Greece, municipality in Athens metropolitan area. It belongs to West Attica regional unit of Greece. It is located in the Thriasio Plain, at the northernmost ...

, equipped with F-86E Sabres. Its main mission was interception, with a secondary

fighter-bomber A fighter-bomber is a fighter aircraft that has been modified, or used primarily, as a light bomber or attack aircraft. It differs from bomber and attack aircraft primarily in its origins, as a fighter that has been adapted into other roles, wh ...

role. In 1955 the squadron moved to the newly established Nea Anchialos Air Base, then to

Tanagra Air Base Tanagra Air Base is a large military air base situated in Tanagra, Greece. The air base is adjacent to Hellenic Aerospace Industry facilities. It is used as the home-base of the 114th Combat Wing (114 Πτέρυγα Μάχης, 114 ΠΜ) of the H ...

( 114th Combat Wing) in 1956, and returned to Nea Anchialos and the 111th Combat Wing in 1960. The squadron provided the core for the second and third aerobatic teams of the Greek air force, "Acro Team", and the second iteration of "". The squadron began delivery of the F-5A/B light fighters in 1965, assuming a central role in daylight interception role over Greek airspace. As the F-5s started being withdrawn from service in the early 1990s, he squadron was disbanded in 1993. The squadron was reformed in 1998 under its current designation, and equipped with F-16 Block 50 aircraft. The squadron is also the first HAF squadron to specialize in the

role, taking delivery of the

AGM-88 HARM The AGM-88 HARM (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile) is a tactical, air-to-surface anti-radiation missile designed to home in on electronic transmissions coming from surface-to-air radar systems. It was originally developed by Texas Instruments ...

missile at the same time.

References

{{Hellenic Air Force squadrons Military units and formations established in 1954 Squadrons of the Hellenic Air Force 1954 establishments in Greece