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Red Arrows at Tanagra

«meeting with Reds»
Tanagra Air Base, 114 Π.Μ., LGTG
30 March 2006
 

It can be said with a fair amount of certainty that the year 2006 had many pleasant surprises in store for us aviation enthusiasts. Beginning with the Archangel 2005 celebration events, the An-225 brief visit to Athens International Airport and the recent trip to the almost unreal island of St. Maarten, the members of the Hellenic Aviation Enthusiasts Society “Air-born” were present and in force.

Our Society, continuing the co-operation with the Hellenic Air Force, after the modest but moving ceremony for the withdrawal from service of the remaining 337 Squadron’s ex-ANG F-4Es which took place in 110 Wing, had the opportunity to visit 114 Wing in Tanagra AB in the context of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team’s visit.

It all started after confirming the Reds were in Tanagra pressing on with their training schedule, flying three sorties every day. Very quickly permission was granted by the Hellenic Air Force Command. So the date was set for 8 o’clock in the morning of Thursday, March 30^th 2006 at the 114 Wing main gate.

After a brief security check we were transported to Apron ‘A’, right where the 12 red BAe Hawks have been. This was the first excellent photographic opportunity as there was practically no-one else on the ramp at the time. After a short while the ground crews came (also known as the ‘Blues’) in order to prepare the aircraft for their flight to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, the Reds’ next stop where they will practice their manoeuvres over the sea before returning to RAF Scampton, their home base.

One thing we all noticed was the silence in which the crews prepared their aircraft without unnecessary shouting and tension. Departure of the flight was set for 12 o’clock and a RAF Hercules would then carry all those who wouldn’t be flying in the Hawks’ back seat, their belongings and the rest of their gear. And just about then the team’s merchandise manager arrived and so the necessary memorabilia shopping took place (there were posters, t-shirts, socks and even underwear for sale). The time by then was a quarter past eleven and that was when the two mini-vans carrying the Reds came. They then proceeded to their aircraft and after arranging their personal flight gear they started preparing for their flight.

The members of the display team, both ground and flight crews were very friendly and polite. Red 1 Dicky Patounas, bid us good day in Greek while walking past us and when Panos approached the assembled Reds and Blues and asked them if they could sign on a poster picturing their Team flying over the Acropolis (RBF magazine, issue 3) they all gladly and enthusiastically agreed. They never stopped telling us how much they enjoyed their stay in Tanagra and Greece and how everything was more than satisfactory. Since their scheduled departure time was drawing near the Reds gathered around a Hawk’s port wing where they had their flight briefing which lasted about 15 minutes.

After the briefing and with the back seats already occupied by their passengers for the flight, the Reds put on their g-suits and did the customary walkaround and then climbed on their mounts. In a matter of minutes the launch choreography started; the canopies closed, the Blues positioned themselves in front of their assigned aircraft for the engine start and the last flight control checks accompanied with the appropriate hand signals.

When the Blues stepped back, Red One started taxiing followed by the rest of the Team. When they were all in the active taxiway they formed up and headed for Runway 28. At 12.07 the four red Hawk three-ships left Tanagra AB and with a wide left turn they headed for ABLON. It took days for the smile we all had on our faces to go away.

The Hellenic Aviation Enthusiasts Society “Air-born” would especially like to thank the Hellenic Air Force Chief of Staff Lt. General George Avlonitis as well as the Commanding Officer of the 114 Combat Wing and the head of the Wing’s Security department for the opportunity they gave us to visit Tanagra and meet the Red Arrows and for granting our request so quickly.