Greek AWACS on task

Double departure for two Greek AWACS aircraft this morning from Elefsis Air Base

The first asset, OURAN11, an Embraer EMB-145H AEW&C, operated entirely within the boundaries of the Greek FIR. The flight profile and area of operations suggest a mission likely linked to Operation IRINI, the EU-led naval operation tasked with enforcing the arms embargo on Libya and monitoring illicit activities in the central Mediterranean. The patrol pattern south of Crete is consistent with airborne early warning and maritime surveillance support to naval assets operating in the area.

The second aircraft, identified as OURAN32B, also an Embraer EMB-145H AEW&C, followed a different routing. After departing Elefsis, it headed north and subsequently landed at Volos Air Base, indicating a redeployment or repositioning flight rather than a sustained on-station mission.

What makes this activity particularly noteworthy is the simultaneous presence of two AEW&C platforms in the air. It is relatively rare to observe two Greek EMB-145H AEW&C aircraft flying at the same time, given the limited size of the fleet and the high value of these assets. Such concurrency may point to heightened operational requirements, training activities, or a temporary increase in surveillance needs across different sectors of Greek airspace.