EUAFA

EUROPEAN AIR FORCE ACADEMIES

  GREECE

 

HELLENIC AIR FORCE ACADEMY (HAF)

In the context of its curricula, the Hellenic Air Force Academy produces and transmits knowledge to its Cadets in terms of research and teaching the aviation science and technology as well as the relevant theoretical, exact and applied sciences. It develops military virtues and military discipline in order to mould officers of the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) with military and aviation consciousness, higher education as well as social, cultural and political instruction & conduct, providing them with all the capabilities that enable them to become competent leaders with comprehensive professional and scientific training. In common with the Universities, the HAFA organizes Post-graduate Studies (PGS) and conducts scientific research in the fields that interest HAF.

The selection of the Cadets follows their success in the National University Entrance Examinations as well as their meeting the psycho-technical and athletic tests of professional suitability. There are two options to choose from. The knowledge of the peculiarities and the capabilities required by each option constitutes the substantial criterion for their selection. Nevertheless, the love for the Hellenic Air Force is a determinant element that the soul of every young man or woman wishing to become a Cadet must possess.

Today, all future Cadets can be assured that the Hellenic Air Force Academy shall always hold its doors open to all those who have the will, the faith and the love to further the HAF’s tradition and history. It is with great care that the Greek State has been improving the conditions, the studies’ environment and, further on, the development of the Cadets and Officers in the Chain of Command respectively. The work of the officer of contemporary HAF is considered to be special and significant by everybody and it is for this reason that he (or she) has the support of the Greek State in all fields, in addition to the respect and admiration he (or she) enjoys from the Greek people.


 Commander

  COMMANDER
  Major General
  Matthaios KANOUPAKIS

  

Major General Matthaios KANOUPAKIS is the Commander of the Hellenic Air Force Academy (HAFA). He is responsible for preparing and equipping Hellenic Air Force Officers with the necessary training and education to effectively meet operational and strategic requirements. Additionally, he oversees the advancement of knowledge and research in aviation and aerospace science and technology while supporting operational activities with the resources and personnel at his disposal. He was born in Athens.

EDUCATION

He joined the Hellenic Air Force Academy in 1987 and graduated in 1991, as a 2nd Lieutenant.

He graduated from:

  • National Defense College
  • Supreme Joint War College
  • Air War College/Junior Officers
  • Air Tactics Center/Joint Electronic School
  • Air War College/Flight Safety School
  • Electronic Warfare Course
  • Air Ground Operations School (AGOS)
  • Academic Instructor Course
  • Water Survival School
  • Instruments Flight Training School
  •  

    He speaks English.

Assignments

  • January 2025: Commander of the Hellenic Air Force Academy
  • October 2024- January 2025: Chief of Staff of the HTAF
  • April 2022– October 2024: Commander of the Hellenic Air Tactics Center (HATC)
  • March 2020– April 2022: Director at HNDGS COS Executive Office
  • August 2019– March 2020: Director of DOS Office at HNDGS
  • May 2017– August 2019: Section Head of the HNDGS/DOS Office
  • March 2017: – May 2017: Section Head of the HNDGS/A4 Air Defence Directorate
  • June 2016 – March 2017: Section Head of the HAFGS/B1 Military Personnel Directorate
  • September 2015– June 2016: Staff Officer of the HNDGS/D4/2 Defence Policy Directorate
  • September 2012– September 2015: CAOC TORREJON Exercises Branch Head (Ισπανία)
  • September 2011– September 2012: Supreme Joint War College
  • May 2009– September 2011: Commander of 115 CW/340 SQ
  • July 2007– May 2009: Operations Officer of 1115CW/340 Squadron
  • April 2004– July 2007: 115CW/340 Squadron’s Flight Commander
  • March 2003– April 2004: Pilot at 110CW/340 Squadron
  • June 1997- March 2003: : Pilot at 110CW/346 Squadron
  • October 1996– June 1997: Pilot at 111CW/346 Squadron
  • March 1996– October 1996: Trainee at 111CW/F-16 Operational Conversion Unit
  • July 1993 – March 1996: Pilot at 113CW/343 Squadron
  • October 1992 – July 1993: Pilot at 111CW/341 Squadron
  • August 1992 – October 1992: Trainee at 111CW/F-5 Operational Conversion Unit
  • November 1991- August 1992: Trainee at 120 Air Training Wing/363SQ
  • June 1991-November 1991: Trainee at 120 Air Training Wing/361SQ

Flight experience

He has more than 3300 flight hours.. He has flown with Τ-41, Τ-37, Τ-2, F-5, F-16 C/D (Blk 30, Blk 52+).

Promotions

  • 2nd Lieutenant: 31/05/1991
  • 1st Lieutenant: 20/06/1994
  • Captain: 30/06/1998
  • Major: 12/06/2003
  • Lieutenant Colonel: 27/04/2009
  • Colonel: 16/06/2016
  • Brigadier General: 21/01/2023
  • Major General: 10/01/2025

Medals – Decorations

  • Grand Commander of the Order of the Phoenix
  • Commander of the Order of Honor
  • Medal of Military Merit 1st Class
  • Air Force Meritorious Command Medal 1st Class
  • Staff Officer Service Commendation Medal 1st Class
  • Air Force Formation Command Medal 3rd Class

 

 Structure

Cadets are offered University level education and proper military training so that they are qualified to successfully carry out their mission as Air Force Officers after their graduation. For a better understanding of the education and training provided by the Academy, the topic is presented in three separate parts as shown on the slide.

  • Academic Staff - Faculty
  • Education and Training provided
  • Education and Training support facilities

A. ACADEMIC STAFF - FACULTY. The Academic faculty is formed by: Dean, Heads of Academic Sections, Professors, Lecturers, Physical education instructors, foreign language instructors, Academic staff under temporary contract, Military instructors, Flight training instructors. Specifically the Dean organizes and directs the academic education and represents the Academy in the academic and research community. He is also responsible for inter-institutional cooperation and faculty appointments.

B. EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROVIDED.The education and training provided to cadets, as already mentioned, consists of Military Training, Academic Education and Flight Training. Studies last for four (4) years.

1. Military Training

During the Basic Military Training special emphasis is applied on Military Education and Evaluation as well as on Army Drills. Cadets then follow a program of Military Training and Education, in order to acquire the necessary qualifications and learning, so as to become officers with integrated personalities. Main goals are self-discipline, devotion to duty, a sense of responsibility, team spirit and acquired virtues of a leader.

2. Academic Education

The objective of Academic Education is to provide University level education to cadets in their respective fields of specialization. During the four years of study cadets attend 3,500 hours of Academic education, translated in 240 ECTS. At the present time the Air Force Academy provides education and training for officer specializations as shown on the slide:

  • Pilots
  • Engineers
    • Aircraft Engineers
    • Telecommunication Engineers
    • Infrastructure Engineers
  • Air Defense Controllers
  • Logistics
  • Administration
  • Meteorology
  • Research & Informatics

Education in the Academy includes: Specialization Subjects, Military Subjects, Social Sciences Subjects, Lectures on topics of General Education, Foreign Languages, Physical Training, Final Year Dissertation, Educational Trips and visits.

3. Flight Training

The total flight training program of the Academy consists of 110 sorties amounting to 130 flight hours.

a. The screening phase (phase I) takes place during the first year of study at the 360th Flying Training Squadron, on a P200JF aircraft

b. . The basic phase (phase II) is carried out during the third and forth years of study on T-6 A/C at the 120th Flight Training Wing.

C. EDUCATION AND TRAINING SUPPORT FACILITIES

The facilities available to the Academy contribute to the successful accomplishment of the Military, Physical, Academic and Flight Training syllabus. More specifically: the newly-developed premises, the laboratories, the flight training means and the Olympic standard athletic facilities.

The Academy installations include: the administration premises, classrooms, laboratories, dormitories, halls, a library and an amphitheater

The Academy laboratories are equipped with modern experimental facilities where cadets perform exercises and experiments which help consolidate and expand their knowledge on a wide variety of subjects. The Academy’s existing laboratories are: Physics, Aerodynamics, Aeronautics, Propulsion systems, Aircraft systems, Strength of Materials, Telecommunications, General electronics, Microprocessors.

  Contact

Address

  • Dekeleia Air Base
  • Postal Code 136 71 , Acharnai – Attica
  • GREECE

Email

Phone numbers:

  • Commander:

    +30 210 819 3000

  • Assisting Office:

    +30 210 819 3001


Web Page

 Images from Academy

Commandant’s Conference

In 1993 the European Air Chiefs Conference (EURAC) was established with the main objective finding new methods of study and co-operation among European Air Forces – within and out of NATO. In this context a considerable importance has been given for a common vision in the ways of education and formation of future officers

Consequently the European Air Force Academies (EUAFA) Commanders’ Conference has been established as a forum of experts in order to exchange information, co-operate and identify areas of common interest to carry out activities, with the largest possible participation of all the member nations, in the field of officer education and training.

EUAFA mission is to encourage mutual education through the sharing of information on officer training by promoting academic and military exchanges concerning cadet and instructor training.

The (EUAFA) Commandants’ Conference comprises of the Commandants of the Air Force Academies of the following European countries:

AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, CZECH REPUBLIK, DENMARK, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, GREECE, HUNGARY, IRELAND, ITALY, NETHERLANDS, NORWAY, POLAND, PORTUGAL, ROMANIA, SPAIN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, TURKEY, UNITED KINGDOM.

The members of the conference annually elect a Chairman, who is responsible for the preparation of the meetings and who acts as Point of Contact (POC) for all members.

The Chairman, who is appointed for one year for the period between two Commandants’ Conferences, is the Commandant (or his representative) of the Academy that is designated to host the conference at the end of his term.

Experts’ Working Group

In order to find common elements within the syllabi of the EUAFAs a Working Group was established in 1998. The ultimate goal was to identify portions of the individual training and education programs that might be suitable for common training and/or mutual exchanges

The EUAFA Working Group is responsible for the following tasks: view the member nations syllabi and focus on common fields within which to provide a basis for future co-operation in training and cadet exchanges; gather, update and disseminate the Databank (available at the website, and updated by the appropriate Working Group member) containing:

  • An overview of educational systems.
  • The structure organisational diagram of each participating country.
  • The educational syllabus of each academy.
  • The pilot education, training and timeframes in each academy.

In order to achieve a better understanding regarding main areas of training in each country’s officer training syllabus and from which common areas of interest could be found:

  • Discuss and prepare agenda items for the following EUAFA Commandants’ Conference
  • Present the findings of the Working Group Meeting including proposals for future activities to the following EUAFA Commandants’ Conference
 
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