4Aviation took advantage of the opportunity to visit Greece for the Farewell ceremony of the A-7 at Araxos. A group of 32 people from Austria, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands and the UK left from several European airports to gather at Athens airport on 15 October 2014.
After collecting our minivans we drove a couple of hours for our seaside hotel, about an hour’s drive from Araxos. On our way there we stopped at a preserved F-104 at Aigio.
On Thursday 16 October, we joined the other enthusiast at the 336 Squadron area for the spotters day. This left almost nothing to be desired. You could go anywhere you want, in doubt ask the very cooperative Air Force guy or girl nearby. The flight line, storage and dump areas, as well as great spots along the taxi and runways were accessible to everyone.
Friday 17 October, the day of the official ceremony, a small static was set up near the main gate. After the ceremony in the hangar a special painted A-7 was revealed to commemorate the long service of the great aircraft. This was followed by a small air show.
Below a couple of pictures of these two days.
We thank the great people at Araxos Airbase for their cooperation, before, during and after the event!
1) A-7E 159648 was revealed inside the hangar during the ceremony, but later towed out for the enthusiast.
2) A sight to never be seen again, three TA-7C in tight formation.
3) TA-7C 156747 in a weathered camouflage on the operational flight line.
4) During both days 335 Mira flew operational missions with their new F-16s.
5) TA-7C 154477 takes off for one of its final sorties.
6) This F-104G is preserved near the 336 Mira area. Code FG-303 suggest serial 22303, but in fact it is 7097, former German Marine 22+22.
7) TA-7C returning from a mission.
The pilots have just arrived at their aircraft and are performing pre-flight checks. 
9) ERJ135LR was acting as a shuttle bus to bring dignitaries to and from Araxos.
10) One of my personal highlights was the storage and dump area, or 'boneyard'. Many A-7s and F-104s were lingering in different status in the weeds.
11) Nearly twenty F-104s were packed in a tight area. Guess these will not fly again...
12) Two TA-7Cs, one is about to land, the other is turning short final.
13) Waiting for things to happen. An AB205A on Search & Rescue standby near the tower.
14) The only three fighter types left in the Hellenic Air Force inventory. Mirage 2000, F-4 and F-16.
15) Two newly painted TA-7Cs are awaiting their next mission.
16) This F-16D reported some problems and made a short landing with help of its chute. Emergency services were on standby, but luckily not needed.
17) Milliseconds after landing, TA-7C Corsair II.
18) Two Corsairs on the taxi track.
19) This C-130H brought people for the ceremony on Friday. It left after the official part was long over. But the friendly staff let us stay to take some final pictures.
20) Overview of some of the stored A-7s with part of the operational flight line in the background.
21) This dual is showing its original heritage, carrier style folding wings.
22) Two one-o-fours hiding in the bushes.
23) F-4E of the 338 MDV Andravida about to land after participating in the formation flyby.
24) An immaculate looking TA-7C is taking the skies. Unfortunately several Corsairs were plagued by some technical issues and not all missions could be flown these days.
25) Line of recently decommissioned A-7 fighters.
26) This C-27A was also used to bring people for the ceremony.
27) Brand-new F-16 of the 335 Mira taxiing past the enthusiasts.
28) Overview of the large storage area.
29) The T-6 demo team started each display with a low pass over the runway.
30) The distinctive air intake of the A-7 is very visible in this picture.
31) Visiting F-16D of 330 Mira joining the event.
32) Both Hellenic Air Force demo teams in one picture. Zeus on the ground and about to follow the T-6 which is about to land.
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