INIOCHOS exercise
The “INIOCHOS” Exercise was first launched in the late 1980s as a small-scale training event designed to meet the Hellenic Air Force’s need for realistic preparation in Combined Air Operations (COMAO). Initially conducted at Larissa Air Base, the exercise was coordinated by the Hellenic Fighter Weapons School, which managed operations through a dedicated “White Cell” at the National Center for Air Operations. As the exercise gained in complexity and success, it became an annual event. In 2005, it was decentralized, allowing participating aircraft to operate from their home bases while planning and coordination remained centralized at the Air Tactics Center in Andravida.
A major transformation occurred in 2013, when INIOCHOS adopted the Single Base Concept, relocating all participating aircraft and personnel to the same air base. Andravida AFB was chosed to be the preferred location for this. This choice elevated the exercise to a medium-scale event with a 24/7 operational rhythm and a more realistic environment, significantly improving the training value for all participants. The concept was tested in 2014 as an HAF-only exercise. In April 2015, INIOCHOS officially became an INVITEX (Invitation Exercise), opening participation to allied and partner nations. That year marked the involvement of the Israeli Air Force and U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) Special Forces acting as Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC), laying the groundwork for INIOCHOS to grow into one of the most prominent multinational air exercises in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Nowadays, INIOCHOS has become one of the major exercises in Europe, and more nations participate to the yearly training. The renowned organization and realistic scenarios make it a great choice for deployment in the beginning of every year. The Hellenic Air Force and the 116 Combat Wing are now used to organizing multinational and high-scale exercises, with this yearly training, as well as Ramstein Flag 2024 which also took place in Andravida Air Base.
Four Hellenic Air Force F-4E Phantoms recovering from a INIOCHOS 2025 mission
Qatar Emiri Air Force Boeing F-15QA Ababil taxiing for take-off | QA525
Polish Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon flying in Vouraikos Canyon during an INIOCHOS 2025 low-level training | 4046
Hellenic Air Force Mirage 2000-5 taxiing back to its parking after a mission | 549
INIOCHOS 2025
This year's edition of INIOCHOS span from March 31st to April 11th, 2025. It marked the largest international participation since the exercise was established as an INVITEX, with 12 nations actively involved. The participating nations included:
- France with x4 Dassault Mirage 2000D from the 3rd Fighter Wing (from which you can find Jet Blast Area's report here)
- India with x4 Su-30MKI
- Israel with x1 Gulfstream G-550 (although not seen during the Spotter Days)
- Italy with x6 Tornado IDS/ECR, flying intensively during the exercise, especially in the mountains, since the pilots were qualifying for low-level flying.
- Montenegro with x1 Bell 412
- Poland with x4 F-16C Fighting Falcon
- Qatar with x4 F-15QA, participating to a major exercise abroad for one of the first time
- Slovenia with x3 PC-9
- Spain with x4 EF-18M Hornet
- United Arab Emirates with x4 Mirage 2000-9 - although unfortunately not seen during the Spotter Days as it was the only day of the exercise during which the UAE did not fly, which is really a shame given the rareness of the aircraft
- United States with F-16C coming from Homestead AFB, home of the 'Florida Makos', 93rd Fighter Squadron, and with KC-46/KC-135 flying from Elefsis and Chania air bases
- Greece deploying its full range of fighter jets, helicopters, transport, and training aircraft: F-16C Viper, F-4E Phantom II, C-130H Hercules, C-27J Spartan, M346 Master, T-6C Texan II, NH-90 Caiman, and much more
For photographers, INIOCHOS 2025 was a new opportunity to catch several interesting aircraft, and mostly the legendary McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II, that thousands of photographers look for during these exercises. Although no retirement date is clear for the HAF F-4, it is known that it will come soon, so INIOCHOS proved to be maybe one of the last opportunities to catch them. In 2025, only Türkiye, Iran and Greece still operate this bomber. The Hellenic Air Force celebrated this year the 50 years of Phantom operations with a small event in Andravida. It followed the anniversary of the Turkish Air Force F-4 which was celebrated in 2024 in Eskişehir - find Jet Blast Area's report about this incredible week-end here.
Over 1,300 sorties were conducted within the Athens FIR, reflecting the scale and quick tempo of the exercise. Some sorties included low level flying in the Pelopponnese region, with the Vouraikos canyon once again used for low-level training. Jet Blast Area could spend a day in the mountains to catch the flying participants, during which Aeronautica Militare Tornadoes, as well as Polish Air Force F-16Cs, made some passes.
In addition to air operations, ground and maritime components from the Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, and Hellenic Special Warfare Command had a big role in constructing complex, multi-domain combat scenarios. Observer delegations, including airmen from Bahrain, Cyprus, and Slovakia were also present.
Throughout INIOCHOS 2025, participants executed a wide spectrum of air missions under demanding, high-intensity, day-and-night conditions. These operations simulated contemporary conflict environments and were further enhanced by virtual missions conducted on F-16 Tactical Simulators at the Operational Synthetic Training Squadron of the Hellenic Air Tactics Center, expanding the exercise into the digital battlespace.
Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force) Panavia Tornado flying in Vouraikos Canyon during an INIOCHOS 2025 low-level training
Polish Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon flying in Vouraikos Canyon during an INIOCHOS 2025 low-level training | 4045
Hellenic Air Force Lockheed C-130H Hercules pereformed several support missions | 741
Hellenic Air Force F-4 Phantom with its drag chute deployed | 71745
Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI taxiing to the runway | SB319
A trio of Hellenic Air Force F-16C from nearby Araxos AFB flying over Andravida
Hellenic Mirage 2000 and F-4 Phantoms returning from an INIOCHOS mission
US Air Force F-16C from the 93rd Fighter Squadron 'Florida Makos' taxiing | 87-0288
Hellenic Air Force F-4E Phantom II taking-off for an INIOCHOS 2025 mission | 01520
Polish Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon taxiing in Andravida | 4045
Israeli Air Force Beech 350 taxiing | 735
UAE Air Force Dassault Mirage 2000-9 towed back to its parking spot in Andravida | 759
Hellenic Air Force Dassault Rafale EG leaving to Tanagra AFB | 456
Hellenic Air Force Dassault Mirage 2000-5BG departing for a mission | 507
Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI deploying its drag chutes upon landing | SB319
Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) Piaggio P-180 Avanti | MM.62201
Moon crossing by this Italian Tornado over Andravida
Hellenic Air Force Dassault Rafale EG slowing down on Andravida's runway | 454
Trio of Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI before landing back from a mission
Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force) Panavia Tornado IDS taxiing in Andravida | MM.7086
