Distinguished Visitors Day highlights, cutting-edge training, multinational cooperation, and Greece’s growing role in global air defense readiness.
The Hellenic Air Force hosted the Distinguished Visitors Day (DV Day) of the multinational air exercise INIOCHOS 25 at the Air Tactics Center (ATC), located at Andravida Air Base, showcasing the growing strategic importance of the exercise and Greece’s leading role in multinational defense cooperation.
Top defense officials, including the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Choupis, and the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, addressed participants and guests, underlining the significance of the exercise in modern air warfare training.
This year’s iteration of INIOCHOS is the largest to date, with 13 allied and partner nations from Europe, America, and Asia participating. The event featured live flyovers by formations of fighter jets and a tour of the Operations Center (WHITE CELL), providing visitors with a close-up view of the tactical complexity and operational precision of the exercise.
In his address, Lt. Gen. Grigoriadis emphasized the evolution of INIOCHOS into “one of the most demanding and realistic multinational air exercises in the world,” praising the Hellenic Air Force’s innovation and leadership. He highlighted the recent integration of live aircraft with simulators in a state-of-the-art synthetic training environment as a groundbreaking achievement, enhancing training realism and operational readiness.
He also noted the critical support of the Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, and the Special Warfare Command, whose collaboration creates realistic, multi-domain combat scenarios that sharpen joint operational capabilities. The exercise not only sharpens tactical and strategic skills but also reinforces interoperability among allied forces, contributing to a shared vision for peace and stability in an increasingly complex security environment.
INIOCHOS 25 continues to serve as a centerpiece of international air force cooperation, reflecting the readiness, professionalism, and unity of participating nations. As Lt. Gen. Grigoriadis concluded: “Today, we witness the strength of cooperation, the professionalism of our forces, and the innovation shaping the future of air warfare. May our skies remain safe, and our bonds endure. Fight’s on!”
The Distinguished Visitors Day was attended by:
- Members of the Hellenic Parliament
- The Ambassadors to Greece of India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Slovenia, and Spain, as well as representatives of the Ambassadors of Italy, Montenegro, Poland and the United States of America
- Representatives of the Chiefs of the Hellenic Army and Navy General Staffs
- Representatives of the Air Force Chiefs of France, Italy, Israel, Qatar, Spain, and the UAE, as well as the Commander of the Cyprus Air Command, Brigadier General Georgios Alexandrou
- The Commander of the Hellenic Tactical Air Force, Lieutenant General Panagiotis Georgakopoulos, the Commander of the HNDGS Special Warfare Command, Lieutenant General Georgios Manouras, senior officers of the Armed Forces, and Defence Attachés in Athens from France, Israel, Italy, Spain, the UAE and the United States of America, as well as the Liaison Officer of the National Guard Cyprus/HNDGS
- The local civil and religious Authorities.
Video by the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) for the Multinational Air Exercise INIOCHOS 25:
Address by the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, during the DV Day of Exercise INIOCHOS 2025
“It is with great pride and honour that I welcome you all to the Distinguished Visitors’ Day of Exercise INIOCHOS 25. Today, at Andravida Air Base, we stand together as friends, partners and allies, witnessing the power of cooperation, training, and shared vision for security and stability.
INIOCHOS has evolved into one of the most demanding and realistic multinational air exercises in the world, and this year’s iteration is no exception. For over a decade, INIOCHOS has grown in complexity and scope, providing participants with a unique and challenging training environment. Through continuous evolution and adaptation, we have refined our capabilities, ensuring that we meet the demands of modern air warfare.
Over the years, the Hellenic Air Force has accumulated invaluable experience through INIOCHOS, not only in executing complex, multi-domain air operations but also in organizing and managing large-scale multinational exercises. This expertise has played a pivotal role in the very successful hosting of NATO’s first ever Flag exercise, the Ramstein Flag, which was held at this very base just six months ago.
The primary goal of INIOCHOS is to provide high-quality training that simulates real-world combat scenarios. The battlefield of tomorrow is becoming increasingly complex, contested, and interconnected.
INIOCHOS exposes participants to an intensive battle rhythm, replicating the friction and unpredictability of actual combat situations. Our pilots, planners, and ground crews are tested to their limits, preparing them for the challenges they will face in operational environments.
This year, we are honored to host air assets and personnel from 13 allied and partner nations, spanning Europe, America, and Asia. This marks a record number of participants for INIOCHOS, a testament to the growing significance of this exercise. Notably, the majority of these nations return year after year, further solidifying the trust, collaboration, and shared commitment to enhancing our collective operational capabilities.
INIOCHOS 25 offers training opportunities for a wide range of air operations, challenging participants to refine their tactical and operational skills in a rigorous environment. After the ceremony, we will have the opportunity to observe the high level of the exercise through technology, gaining insight into the exercise’s demanding scenarios. Additionally, we will witness the Hellenic Air Force innovative approach to training, having built from scratch a state-of-the-art synthetic training facility.
This facility has recently achieved a major milestone by successfully integrating live aircraft with simulators in the same training environment, elevating training realism and enhancing operational readiness.
On behalf of the Hellenic Air Force, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all participating nations, aircrews, support personnel, and organizers who have made this exercise possible. Your commitment to excellence and partnership is what defines the success of INIOCHOS and ensures its continued prominence as a premier multinational exercise.
As we observe today’s activities, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Hellenic Army, the Hellenic Navy, and the Special Warfare Command for their invaluable support and contribution. Their expertise and cooperation play a crucial role in creating realistic joint operational scenarios, enhancing the overall effectiveness of this exercise, and reinforcing our ability to operate seamlessly across multiple domains.
In conclusion, let me recognize the dedication and professionalism of the men and women of the Hellenic Air Force, whose firm commitment ensures the success of this exercise. Special recognition is due to the personnel of the Air Tactics Center and the 117 Combat Wing, whose hard work and meticulous planning have been instrumental in making INIOCHOS 25 a world-class exercise.
INIOCHOS 25 reaffirms our unity, readiness, and commitment to collective security. As Heraclitus said, “Πόλεμος πατήρ πάντων” (polemos: war, patir: father, panton: all) war is the father of all things. This timeless wisdom reminds us that through struggle and challenge, we forge strength, resilience, and innovation.
Today, we witness the strength of cooperation, the professionalism of our forces, and the innovation shaping the future of air warfare. May the lessons learned here enhance our interoperability and reinforce our partnerships for years to come. May our skies remain safe, and our bonds endure. Fight’s on!”