The Hellenic Air Force’s 348 MTA was disbanded in May after the retirement of the last three airworthy RF-4Es in Europe. Babak Taghvaee traces the role of the unit and its ‘Rhinos’.
348 MTA DISBANDS
IN ITS 64-YEAR existence, 348 Mira Taktikis Anagnoriseos (MTA, Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron) ‘Eyes’ logged 181,000 flying hours, of which 98,000 were with the RF-4E Phantom II. The type served 348 MTA for 39 years, but its tactical reconnaissance role has now been assumed by F-16s equipped with DB-110 pods.
The RF-84F had been the primary Hellenic Air Force (HAF) reconnaissance jet since 1957. Sixteen RF-5A Freedom Fighters arrived with 349 Mira at Larissa in 1970, but by 1975 these had switched primarily to the day interception role.
Athens first expressed interest in the RF-4E in June 1974, with a view to replacing 348 MTA’s ageing fleet of 28 RF-84F Thunderflashes, only half of which were then airworthy.
On June 16, 1977, a $91m contract was placed for six RF-4Es, plus another two provided under the Military Aid Program (MAP). The deal was finalised under the Peace Icarus II Foreign Military Sale (FMS).
In an interview with AFM, Lt Col Dimitrios Papadimitriou, the final 3…
