340 Squadron - FOX
|
340 ΜοίÏα - ΑλεποÏ
On April 18th 1953, the 340 Sqn was formed at 112CW airport, with F-84G aircraft. In September, the squadron moved to 111CW at Volos, where the existing aircraft were replaced by the F-84Fs.
On February 4 1960, the 340 FB Sqn redeployed from 111CW to 115 CG. In the same year, the Squadron took part successfully in two large scale exercises. In May the “REGEX 1†exercise and in September the “FLASH BACK†exercise. Next year, on March 14 1961, the Squadron took part successfully in the two-day REGEX-61 exercise.
From July 9th 1962, till July 14th, a six F-84F aircraft flight of 340 FB Sqn with 7 pilots and 11 technicians moved at BALIKESIR, Turkey, during a flight exchange between Greece, Italy and Turkey. On July 24 a 4 F-84F aircraft flight of 340 FB Sqn accomplished a navigation training flight and landed in RIMINI Italy. In the same year, the Squadron was successfully evaluated by SIXATAF with exceptional performance.
In July 1964, after a HAFGS mandate, the 340 FB Sqn was renamed to 338 FB Sqn and the 335 Strike Sqn, which was moved during June to 115CW from 114CW, to 340 Strike Squadron.
In 1965, the 340 Strike Sqn, was successfully evaluated by the 28th Hellenic Tactical Air Force (28 HTAF), and classified as class A, achieving exceptional performance in LARS firing and high standards of knowledge in technical issues.
In October 1966, the 340Sqn changes its role to Fighter Bomber Sqn with 115 CW as permanent base.
In 1967, the Squadron was successfully evaluated by NATO and was classified as class A.
In March 1970, a 340 Sqn aircraft Flight moved for 3 days to the GIOIA DEL COLLE airport in Italy, in the frame of “SOUTHERN FLAG†exercises. In the same year, in August, 4 Squadron’s F-84F aircraft moved to GHEDI airport in Italy for training flights.
In 1974, the 340 Sqn entered its inventory the F-84F aircraft from 338 and 339 FB Sqn, which were developed in short time. The Squadron’s aircraft at the time came up to 75.
In August 1975 the reception of 340 Squadron’s new type aircraft started, the A/TA-7H Corsair II, which were light bomber aircraft. The Squadron’s old type aircraft F-84F, the personnel and the means were delivered to 345 FB Sqn.
From June 29th 1979 to July 6th, a A-7H Flight of the 340 Sqn moved to HAHN airport, West Germany, during a NATO Flight Exchange.
From June 7 to 14 1983, four (4) Squadron aircraft visited the 13th Gruppo Brindisi in Italy.
In February 1987 a pair of aircraft from the 340 Sqn moved to GRAZZANIZE airport in Italy, during a squadron crew exchange. In April, two squadron’s aircraft also moved to GRAZZANIZE airport, Italy.
In 1990 the Squadron achieved a zero accident rate, and was awarded with the flight safety prize.
In late July 1992, half of the A/TA-7H aircraft from the 347 FB Sqn of 110CW were added to 340 Squadron’s inventory.
On May 3rd 1995, 1 TA-7H and 3 A-7H of 340Sqn redeployed to Majorca to participate in the “DESTINED GLORY 95†exercise.
On October 4 1997, the Squadron participated in the “DYNAMIC MIX†NATO exercise with great success.
On January 30 2001, the operation of 340 Sqn was suspended. The 340 Sqn aircraft and part of the personnel were incorporated under the 345 Bomber Sqn.
Photo of the 340 sq. building from the 115 CW albumin for the 50 years of life.
On March 3rd 2003, the 340 Fighter Bomber Squadron was reformed with F-16 Block 52+ aircraft at the 115 CW, from where it operates till today.
Throughout its history, the 340Sqn has won many commendations and has been awarded with many prizes both among the Hellenic Fighter Squadrons and among the NATO allied member countries.
The emblem of the 340 Fighter Bomber Squadron is the fox, and as a callsign the word “FOX†is used since 1960.
We thank Kentorama for the kind donation.
|
|