FMS serial 99-1509 is a F-16C-52+-CF, ordered in the Peace Xenia III program (included 34 F-16Cs and 16 F-16Ds). This single seat 509 was delivered to Souda on 22 August 2003. The airframe is upgraded to Block 72 Viper in 2014.

To support Operation Unified Protector, the fight against Lybian dictator Khadaffi, this Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) was based at Souda. It is former Boeing N1785B (Jan'70), was sold as a CC-137 tanker to the Royal Canadian Air Force (serial 13702) on 28 Feb'70. Omega Air bought the aircraft on 20 Dec'93, it became HR-AMF. Served then TransBrasil Linhas Aereas up to 6 Apr'94. Became PT-TCU, and later EL-AKT. Sold to the USAF on 27 Feb'97, was modified to JSTARS and assigned to the 116th Air Control Wing at Robins AFB (GA). It was moved to AMARG on 12 Jul'22.

Earlier this day, this 643 departed Souda for another Operation Unified Protector mission, armed with Matra R550 Magic 2 air to air missiles and two GBU-12 Paveway IIs underneath the fuselage. It returned empty to its parking spot, except for the fixed Automatic Tracking and Laser Integration System (ATLIS) II targeting pod at station 4.

Assigned to the Qatar Emiri Air Force Helicopter Group, Flying Wing 3, 20sq at Al Udaid, and deployed to Souda for operation Unified Protector. It was a tough one to photograph as the helo only flew its mission from a remote location of Souda air base. And departed each time far away from our spot.

FMS serial 01-8533 is a F-16C-52+-CF, ordered in the Peace Xenia III program (included 34 F-16Cs and 16 F-16Ds). This single seat 537 was delivered to Souda on 20 May 2004. It is here seen being towed over a taxiway at its homebase. The housing area in the background is just an urban area outside the base, great for a fine aircraft viewing terrace! Unfortunately, the Greek government and the Souda military do not appreciate aircraft viewing and photography from that spot.

Fine visitor to Souda getting airborne from runwayfrom runway 29.

To support Operation Unified Protector, the fight against Lybian dictator Khadaffi, this Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) was based at Souda. It is former Boeing N1785B (Jan'70), was sold as a CC-137 tanker to the Royal Canadian Air Force (serial 13702) on 28 Feb'70. Omega Air bought the aircraft on 20 Dec'93, it became HR-AMF. Served then TransBrasil Linhas Aereas up to 6 Apr'94. Became PT-TCU, and later EL-AKT. Sold to the USAF on 27 Feb'97, was modified to JSTARS. It was moved to AMARG on 12 Jul'22. It is here pictured (with permission from Souda) from outside the base

This E-3B was delivered to the USAF on 6 April 1982. It was later modified to E-2B mod (as pictured), then to E-3C and eventually to E-3G. The AWACS belongs to the 964th Airborne Air Control Squadron, commanded by the 552d Air Control Wing at Tinker AFB (OK). It is here pictured (with permission from Souda air base) from outside the base.

Delivered as 9T-TCG to Zaire Air Force in March 1975. Was reserialled to 9T-TCC. Sold to France before the country was renamed to the Democratic Republic of Congo. It became French Air Force 4589/61-PN by March 1997.

Most probably delivered to the French Air Force in late 1988, stored Chateaudun from February 2013 onwards. Moved for preservation to Bordeaux Merignac Museum in mid-2020. Seen here at the flightline of Souda while deployed for Operation Unified Protector.

Assigned to the Qatar Emiri Air Force Helicopter Group, Flying Wing 3, 20sq at Al Udaid, and deployed to Souda for operation Unified Protector. It was a tough one to photograph as the helo only flew its mission from a remote location of Souda air base. And departed each time far away from our spot.

Operation Unified Protector, the fight against the Libyan regime of Khadaffi, yield at Souda (Crete) a nice mix of French Mirage 2000s, including 2000-5Fs, 2000D and 2000NK2 as well as Qatarese 2000EDA/DDAs. Here 2000-5F serial 68 is leading a small flightline. The aircraft was written off with code 116-ER on 3 October 2012. The delta of Luxeuil crashed near the village of Froideconche (near its homebase) with a Taiwanese pilot in the cockpit. He died on the scene.

Operation Unified Protector, the fight against the Libyan regime of Khadaffi, yield at Souda (Crete) a nice mix of French Mirage 2000s, including 2000-5Fs, 2000D and 2000NK2 as well as Qatarese 2000EDA/DDAs.

FMS serial 01-8530 is a F-16C-52+-CF, ordered in the Peace Xenia III program (included 34 F-16Cs and 16 F-16Ds). This single seat 534 was delivered to Souda in late 2003. It is here equipped with the largest fuel tanks the F-16 is able to carry. These include 600 gallon. In the back ground, you can see the road that leads to the NATO Missile Firing Installation (NAMFI ) at Crete. On top of the mountain the NAMFI radar installion is placed.

FMS serial 99-1527, a F-16C-52+-CF of the Peace Xenia III program.

FMS serial 01-8531 is a F-16C-52+-CF and was delivered as part of the Peace Xenia III program that included 34 F-16Cs and 16 F-16Ds. This single seater was delivered to Souda on 26 March 2004. It is seen here just after its return at homebase Souda, also known as Chania-Ioannis Daskalogiannis.

Assigned to 67th SOS and temporarily based at Souda as part of Operation Unified Protector.

FMS serial 01-8536 is a F-16D-52+-CF and was delivered as part of the Peace Xenia III program that included 34 F-16Cs and 16 F-16Ds. This dual seat 616 was delivered to Souda on 27 March 2004. The camouflage of the Souda F-16s continue to surprise. They look always different from every angle and also in every light condition, impressive!

Operations Libyan dawn brought deployments to the Mediterranean area. The one at Souda (Crete, Greece) was the most interesting one. The multi-state NATO-led coalition began a military intervention - named Operation Unified Protector - in and over Libya. The Qatari Emeri Air Force deployed five Mirage 5EDAs and one 5DDA. The QEAF only flew Combat Air Patrols (air defence) during the operation, to prevent Libyan military aircraft to take off. They always flew in formation with French Mirage 2000s as Qatar was not used to NATO operations.