Greek F-16 fighter jets, which are stationed at the "Andreas Papandreou" air base in Paphos, are participating in the National Guard exercise "IRIS-2026".
A pair of Greek fighters made a crossing over the Kalo Chorio Firing Range today (13/10), as part of the pre-exercise and the scenarios provided for in the exercise of the National Guard.
The Greek F-16s will also participate on Thursday, October 15, during the exercise in the presence of officials, including the Minister of Defense and members of the House of Representatives.
"IRIS-2026" takes place from Monday 12 to Thursday 15 October and is one of the important educational activities of the National Guard.
According to an official announcement by the General Staff of the National Guard, during the four-day exercise, live fire shots will take place at the Kalo Chorio Firing Range.
The exercise is part of the wider operational planning of the National Guard and aims to implement plans and procedures under conditions that simulate the requirements of a complex and modern operational environment.
"IRIS-2026" is a large-scale regular exercise, through which the National Guard exercises and evaluates the operational capabilities of its forces.
Indicatively, during the corresponding exercise of 2025, all the personnel and means of the active force of the National Guard participated, with the object of planning, executing, commanding and controlling joint operations.
The final phase of last year's exercise had also taken place in Kalo Chorio, with live fire from various weapon systems and means.
The participation of the Greek F-16s in this year's event adds an aviation dimension to the scenarios of the exercise, for the first time since 2023.
In the meantime, the GEEF has informed the public that, for security reasons, it is forbidden to enter the Kalo Chorio Firing Range from October 12 to 15, during the training activities with live fire.
