348th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
| 348th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Ex-German RF-4E with 348 Squadron tail art at the Royal International Air Tattoo 2005 | |
| Active | 1955–2017 |
| Branch | Hellenic Air Force |
| Part of | 110th Combat Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Larissa Air Base |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | F-84G (1955) RT-33A (1955–1957) RF-84F (1956–1991) RF-4E (1978–2017) |
The 348th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (Greek: 348 Μοίρα Τακτικής Αναγνώρισης, 348 MΤΑ), callsign "Eyes" (ΜΑΤΙΑ), was a specialized photo reconnaissance squadron in service with the Hellenic Air Force, forming part of the 110th Combat Wing.
History
[edit]The squadron traces its origins to a photo reconnaissance flight established at Elefsis Air Base on 26 November 1953, equipped with F-84G. The flight moved to the squadron's eventual home base at Larissa Air Base on 5 July.[1]
The flight was expanded to a full squadron in May 1955, and the F-84Gs began being replaced with specialized RT-33A reconnaissance aircraft. They. remained in service until 1957, being replaced from August 1956 on by the more capable RF-84F.[1]
The next major technological leap came in November 1978, with the arrival of the first of eight RF-4E aircraft. The squadron would operate a mix of RF-84F and RF-4E until 1991, when the former were withdrawn from service. They were replaced by 27 RF-4Es received from the German Air Force in 1993–1994. Twenty of these were taken into service, and the rest used for spare parts.[1]
The squadron was disbanded on 5 May 2017, and the last RF-4E aircraft withdrawn from service.[1][2]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 "348 Μοίρα Τακτικής Αναγνώρισης". Hellenic Air Force website (in Greek). Retrieved 2023-06-06.
- ↑ "Greece Retires RF-4 Photo-Phantom". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
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