Low-Level Photography Reports My article for AFM: Hellenic Flying - Fast and Low! Exercise Iniochos 2019
Low-Level Flying Photography
Photographic Logs for Greece 2019
(For all these shots I used a Canon EOS 5D Mk IV with the following lenses;
Canon EF 400mm f2.8 L IS Mk II).
Low-flying during Exercise Iniochos 2019
Iniochos 2019 patch
Operating from Andravida air base the Air Tactics Centre (Kentro Aeroporikis Taktikis or KEAT) were hosts for exercise Iniochos 2019. The Israeli Air Force attended with twelve F-16C/D Block 30 Barak/Brakeet (Fighting Falcon) from the 117th 'First Jet Squadron' and 109th 'The Valley Squadron' both based at Ramat David Air Base.

As with previous Iniochos exercises the challenge was to shoot the participating aircraft at low-level. The Israeli jets were only in Greece for the first week of Iniochos and were seen at low level most days. Chasing these jets in the hills is no easy task. The valleys are wide and the hills covered in trees.

Day one and a pair of F-16C Barak 117th 'First Jet Squadron' based at Ramat David Air Base approached. Shooting in to the late sun from the highest of locations did not work out too well producing some poor quality greatly cropped images. Unusually I did get the same pair a while later but this time they were even further away in this very wide valley.
I did get lucky on day two with a different pair of F-16C Barak with the 117th 'First Jet Squadron'. I had forced my way on to a north facing tree covered hill with a restricted view to the west. Fortunately the wind was light and I heard them coming.

Day three was a waste of time, I did see a pair of F-16D Brakeet from the 109th 'The Valley Squadron', but their distance from me could be measured in kilometers! There was a blank and the media day to complete my week. I have included some 'scenic' shots which don't do justice to the stunning mountainside valleys I visited. Once again the Italian Air Force Tornados eluded me during their low flying sorties. I have no idea if any other jets joined the Hellenic Air Force at low level.
Low level flying Iniochos 2019
Israeli Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16C Barak (384) 117th 'First Jet Squadron' based at Ramat David Air Base, during Exercise Iniochos 2019.
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April 2019
Left to right: F-16C Barak (384) 117th 'First Jet Squadron' based at Ramat David Air Base.
Low level flying Iniochos 2019
F-16C Barak (329) 117th 'First Jet Squadron' based at Ramat David Air Base.
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Left to right: F-16C Barak (329) 117th 'First Jet Squadron' based at Ramat David Air Base.
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Left to right: F-16C Barak (329) 117th 'First Jet Squadron'.
Low level flying Iniochos 2019 Low level flying Iniochos 2019 Low level flying Iniochos 2019 Low level flying Iniochos 2019
Left to right: F-16C Barak (329) 117th 'First Jet Squadron'.

Low level flying Iniochos 2019
Israeli Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16C Barak (307) 117th 'First Jet Squadron' based at Ramat David Air Base, during Exercise Iniochos 2019.
Low level flying Iniochos 2019 Low level flying Iniochos 2019 Low level flying Iniochos 2019 Low level flying Iniochos 2019
Left to right: F-16C Barak (307) 117th 'First Jet Squadron' based at Ramat David Air Base.
Low level flying Iniochos 2019 Low level flying Iniochos 2019 Low level flying Iniochos 2019
Left to right: F-16C Barak (307) 117th 'First Jet Squadron'.
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Left to right: F-16C Barak (307) 117th 'First Jet Squadron', second pass but much further away.
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Left to right: F-16C Barak (364) 117th 'First Jet Squadron', second pass which was land locked this time.

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Left to right: F-16C Barak not even close!
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Spectacular scenery images.
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Left to right: F-16D Brakeet in the distance, shot from the car along a dirt track.

Thursday May 9, 2019 A day of only seeing one of a pair of low flying jets, then following it with the camera, only to find there was a second lower and closer jet which I missed. So frustrating. Shooting low level in Greece is no easy matter.
Low level flying Greece 2019
338 Mira F-4E(AUP) Phantom II (01618).
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Left to right: 338 Mira F-4E(AUP) Phantom II (01618).
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Left to right: 338 Mira F-4E(AUP) Phantom II (01618).

Low level flying Greece 2019
336 Mira F-16C Block 52M Fighting Falcon (008) based at Araxos.
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Left to right: 336 Mira F-16C Block 52M Fighting Falcon (008).
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Left to right: 336 Mira F-16C Block 52M Fighting Falcon.

Low level flying Greece 2019
F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon (061) with 347 Mira 'Perseus' based at Néa Anchialos.
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Left to right: F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon (061) with 347 Mira 'Perseus' based at Néa Anchialos.
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Left to right: F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon (061) with 347 Mira.
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Left to right: F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon (061) with 347 Mira.

Low level flying Greece 2019
3F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon (050) with 347 Mira 'Perseus' based at Néa Anchialos.
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Left to right: F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon (050) with 347 Mira 'Perseus' based at Néa Anchialos.
Hellenic Low level flying Hellenic Low level flying Hellenic Low level flying
Left to right: F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon (050) with 347 Mira.
Hellenic Low level flying Hellenic Low level flying Hellenic Low level flying
Left to right: F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon (050) with 347 Mira.