Iniochos 2026 – Andravida AB, Greece
Story and photos by William Ellison
Iniochos is an annual multinational air exercise hosted at Andravida Air Base in Western Greece. The 2026 edition involved a large number of Hellenic Air Force assets, including Rafale and F-16 Vipers, along with air defense systems, helicopters, transport, and training aircraft. Hellenic Army and Navy units also played a key role in building complex and realistic scenarios across exercise areas spanning the Greek mainland and surrounding seas.
International participation added even more variety, with France deploying M-2000D and E-3F aircraft, Slovenia bringing the PC-9, and Albania contributing AS-532 helicopters. On the HAF side, units included the F-4E Phantom II (338 Squadron), F-16C/D squadrons (341, 347, 337, 340, 343), Rafale F3R (332 Squadron), and Mirage 2000-5 (331 Squadron). Poland also participated with Special Forces, while Georgia, Serbia, Croatia, and India attended as observers.
All missions were planned, executed, and debriefed under the supervision of the HAF Fighter Weapons School, covering a full range of operations including Offensive and Defensive Counter Air, Counter A2/AD, Strategic Air Operations, and maritime support. The scale, realism, and professionalism involved make Iniochos one of the premier air exercises in Europe and the Mediterranean.
My trip for Iniochos 2026 actually started back in late 2025 when my friend Dalibor Ankovic told me about the opportunity to attend. Getting the chance to finally photograph HAF F-16s and F-4s—both on my 2026 bucket list—was all I needed to hear. By early February, once the spotters day was announced, I booked my flight and secured a spot with COAP.
March 13th kicked off my first international trip, flying from Phoenix to Athens with stops in LA and an 18-hour layover in London. The travel wasn’t perfect, but I made the most of it and even got a quick look around London. On March 15th, I met up with the COAP group at Heathrow and we continued on to Athens before making the three-hour drive to Patras.
Spotters Day on March 16th started early with a 6 a.m. departure to Andravida. The morning began cold and rainy, but conditions improved as the day went on. After clearing security, we were bused to the viewing area where everything was well organized with restrooms, charging stations, and access to the base cafeteria.
Flying kicked off with a Mirage 2000 weather check and a few low passes, followed by the unmistakable sound of F-4 Phantoms and F-16 Vipers starting up. Once the first wave began taxiing, it was nonstop action. Seeing HAF Phantoms and Vipers up close and in motion was a huge moment for me—definitely a “kid in a candy store” kind of day and a big check off the bucket list.
The day moved fast with both morning and afternoon waves. Highlights included a Phantom demo and a four-ship flyby. Before long, it was time to wrap up, grab group photos, and head back to the hotel to swap stories from the day.
The next couple of days took us into the Vouraikos Valley, often called the “Greek Mach Loop.” Low-level flying is never guaranteed, and that proved true, but we were able to catch a few passes from an M-346. Even with limited action, it was still a great first low-level experience. We also spent time at the Grand Chalet, which is well worth a stop—good food, great staff, and a perfect place to wait for traffic.
Before long, it was time to head back to Athens, then London, and eventually home to Phoenix. Like most trips like this, it felt like it went by way too fast.
Overall, Iniochos 2026 was an unforgettable experience, especially as my first international trip. Huge thanks to the Hellenic Air Force, the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) Spokesperson, and everyone at Andravida AB for their professionalism and hospitality, and to COAP for putting together a smooth and well-run trip. I’d do it again without hesitation.
Note: Photography and plane spotting outside military bases in Greece is strictly prohibited and can lead to serious consequences. Always respect local laws so opportunities like this remain available.
