Greek Ghosts Turn 50

A pair of Phantoms, both carrying a Litening targeting pod, seen during a formation flight.

Report and photos by Robin Polderman

In April of 1974, the first F-4E Phantom II fighters for the Hellenic Air Force arrived in the skies over Greece. A quick calculation reveals the type has been in service for more than 50 years and in Greece the Phantom has reached almost mythical status. With around a dozen Phantoms still operational, The Unit Report travelled to Greece multiple times during 2024 to catch the remaining Spooks in action.

A Spook awaiting its next mission in one of Andravida's Hardened Aircraft Shelters.

The first flight of a Greek Phantom took place on 29 January 1974 in the skies over St Louis airport in Missouri, the location of the McDonnell Douglas factory. This initial flight followed a contract for 36 F-4E aircraft signed in 1972. The deal was dubbed ‘Peace Icarus,’ and all 36 fighter aircraft were delivered to the airbase at Andravida before the end of 1974. Located on the Peloponnese peninsula, Andravida had an extensive infrastructure upgrade in order to house and operate the brand-new Phantom fleet. Both the 338 and 339 Mira (squadron), belonging to the 117 PM (Pteriga Mahis – Combat Wing) converted to the F-4E after giving up their F-84F Thunderstreaks. Two additional Phantoms were received in 1976 as attrition replacements.

One of the mighty Spooks of 338 MDV parked at Andravida airbase.

On 16 July 1977, the Greek government signed a further contract with McDonnell Douglas, this time stipulating the delivery of another 18 F-4E along with eight photo reconnaissance RF-4E. This contract was a direct result of increased tensions with Turkey. In July of 1974, the tensions had resulted in an outright conflict when Turkey invaded the northern part of Cyprus, an island that Greece claimed as its own. The contract was dubbed ‘Peace Icarus II’, with the aircraft on order destined to equip the 110 PM at Larissa in Central Greece, with the F-4E aircraft handed to the 337 MPK (Mira Pantos Kerou – All Weather Squadron) while the RF-4E aircraft went to the 348 MTA (Mira Taktikis Anagnoriseos – Tactical Recce Squadron). The 337 MPK started Phantom operations at Larissa in September of 1978 and delivery of the 26 RF-4E/F-4E aircraft for the 110 PM were completed the following year.

At the end of the Cold War, within the framework of the Southeastern Regional Agreement (SRA), the USAF conceded 28 F-4E aircraft to the Hellenic Air Force. These aircraft had served with the 113th and 163rd Tactical Fighter Squadrons of the Indiana Air National Guard. Between August and November 1991, these F-4E SRA Phantoms were delivered to Andravida airbase and entered service with the 338 MDV (Mira Dioxis Vomvardismou – Fighter Bomber Squadron.) They would eventually end up as part of the 337 MPK.

During the summer months the Phantoms of 338 MDV usually fly early morning and early evening, when temperatures are still hot but somewhat acceptable!

In 1993, more second-hand Phantoms arrived in the shape of 27 surplus German Air Force RF-4E reconnaissance Spooks. Some of these were used to bolster the active fleet of the 348 MTA, while others were used as spare parts sources. This brought the total number of Phantoms delivered to Greece to 119 aircraft.

In the second half of the nineties, the Hellenic Air Force decided to upgrade part of its F-4 Phantom fleet. The upgrade program, developed by German aerospace company DASA, was dubbed ‘Peace Icarus 2000’, and 39 F-4Es from the first and second batch were selected. Besides structural reinforcements, the program also stipulated an extensive avionics upgrade, including a new APG-65 radar, Data Link, new mission computer, advanced AN/APX-113 IFF, as well as color Multi-Functional Displays in the cockpit. The Peace Icarus jets lost the ability to fire the AIM-7 Sparrow but gained the AIM-120 AMRAAM as well as improved air-to-ground capability, including the use of the Litening targeting pod. Air-to-ground weapons carried by the F-4E/AUP include the AGM-65 Maverick and the GBU-10/12/16/24 family of laser-guided bombs. On 18 December 2002, after extensive testing, the first upgraded F-4E/AUP (Avionics Upgrade Program) was handed over to the HAF during a ceremony at the Hellenic Aerospace Industry facility at the airbase of Tanagra. The upgrade brought the third-generation Phantom in line with modern fourth-generation fighter aircraft.

Phantom crew awaiting permission to taxi.

For the non-upgraded F-4E SRA aircraft the curtain soon fell. On 31 December 2005, the 337 MPK at Larissa retired its fleet of Phantoms and soon thereafter became an F-16 squadron. In May of 2017 the last three operational RF-4E recce Spooks of the 348 MTA were retired, while the 31st of October of that same year marked the end of the 339 MPK, transferring all remaining

F-4E/AUP aircraft to 338 MDV ‘Aris’; which to this day is Greece’s sole remaining Phantom squadron.

Although in the twilight of its career, the Greek Phantoms remain in the thick of the action. Homebase Andravida hosts the yearly Iniochos exercise in early April, which regularly sees the participation of air forces from Asia and the Middle East. Naturally, 338 MDV and its Phantoms take part. During the fall of 2024, the Ramstein Flag air defense exercise took place at Andravida airbase. Air assets from almost every corner of NATO participated, including the hometown Phantoms.

A trio of Phantoms lined up at Andravida's flightline on a very hot summer day in July 2024.

Although the unit receives many requests to participate in airshows outside of Greece only two were on the agenda in 2024. In July a pair of Phantoms flew to RAF Fairford, UK via Aviano airbase in Italy to participate in the Royal International Air Tattoo. In mid-September two aircraft landed at Graf Ignatievo airbase for the Bulgarian International Air Fest, an airshow which was sadly cancelled last minute following a fatal crash during rehearsals.

Rumors are rife that the Phantom fleet will relocate to Larissa airbase while Andravida is being reworked for future F-35 use. In July of 2024, the Greek government signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for the procurement of 20 F-35 Lightning IIs, with an option for a further 20. Delivery of the first F-35 to Greece will not occur before 2030, so the mighty Spooks might grace Hellenic skies for a few more years to come!

Many thanks to the HAF Spokesman, the F-4 Phantom Society and of course the phabulous personnel of 338 MDV.