Back Helleense Lugmag AF القوات الجوية اليونانية Arabic Yunanıstan Hərbi Hava Qüvvələri AZ Военновъздушни сили на Гърция Bulgarian Řecké vojenské letectvo Czech Griechische Luftstreitkräfte German Ελληνική Πολεμική Αεροπορία Greek Fuerza Aérea Griega Spanish نیروی هوایی یونان FA Kreikan ilmavoimat Finnish
| Hellenic Air Force | |
|---|---|
| |
 Hellenic Air Force badge | |
| Founded | 1912[1][2] |
| Country |  Greece |
| Branch | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Size | Approx. 42,500 personnel 635 aircraft 8 types of air defence systems |
| Part of | Hellenic Armed Forces |
| Nickname(s) | HAF |
| Patron | Archangels Michael and Gabriel |
| Motto(s) |
|
| Colours | |
| Anniversaries | 8 November |
| Engagements | |
| Website | www |
| Commanders | |
| Chief of Air Force General Staff | Air Marshal Dimosthenis Grigoriadis |
| Notable commanders |
|
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |  |
| Fin flash |  |
| Aviator badge |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Bomber | F-4 Phantom II |
| Fighter | F-16, Dassault Rafale, Mirage 2000 |
| Helicopter | CH-47, NH90, AS332, Bell UH-1 |
| Reconnaissance | Embraer R-99, Pegasus II, Heron TP |
| Trainer | M-346 Master, P2002 Sierra, T-6 Texan II, T-2 Buckeye, |
| Transport | C-27J Spartan, C-130B/H, Falcon 7X, ERJ-135, Gulfstream V |
The Hellenic Air Force (HAF; Greek: Πολεμική Αεροπορία, romanized: Polemikí Aeroporía, lit. 'Military Aviation', 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 18th out of 139 countries.[3][4] Under the Kingdom of Greece from 1935 to 1973, it was previously known as the Royal Hellenic Air Force (RHAF) (Ἑλληνικὴ Βασιλικὴ Ἀεροπορία, Ellinikí Vasilikí Aeroporía).
The Hellenic Air Force is one of the three branches of the Hellenic Armed Forces, and its mission is to guard and protect Greek airspace, provide air assistance and support to the Hellenic Army and the Hellenic Navy, and to provide humanitarian aid in Greece and around the world. The Hellenic Air Force includes approximately 33,000 active troops, of whom 11,750 are career officers, 14,000 are professional soldiers (ΕΠ.ΟΠ.), 7,250 are volunteer conscripts, and 1,100 are women. The motto of the Hellenic Air Force is the ancient Greek phrase Αἰὲν Ὑψικρατεῖν (Aièn Hypsikrateîn, 'Always Dominate the Heights'), and the HAF emblem represents a flying eagle in front of the Hellenic Air Force roundel. The General Air Staff (GEA) is based at the Papagou Camp in the Municipality of Filothei - Psychiko of the Prefecture of Attica.
- ^ "Hellenic Air Force – history". HAF.gr. Hellenic Air Force. Archived from the original on 18 July 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
- ^ As a separate service branch; Army Aviation established in 1911.
- ^ "Greeks voted best NATO pilots of the world - again!". NEOS KOSMOS. 7 March 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ "Greek pilots named best in NATO for 2018". Greek City Times. 8 October 2018.