Elefsina Air Base (ICAO: LGEL) (Greek: Αεροπορική Βάση Ελευσίνας) is a military air base situated in Elefsina, Greece. It is used as the home-base of the 112th Combat Wing (112 Πτέρυγα Μάχης, 112 ΠΜ) of the Hellenic Air Force.
History
In its current form, the airfield was opened in 1946. However, there had been an airfield and operations on the site from 1937.[3]
Elefsina played a crucial role in the final British evacuation during the 1941 Battle of Greece, as recounted by Roald Dahl in his autobiography Going Solo.
Operations
The 112th Combat Wing includes the following units:
352 VIP Transport Squadron (352 ΜΜΥΠ) (established in 1957)
354 Tactical Transport Squadron (354 ΜΤΜ) (established 1970)
355th Tactical Transport Squadron (355th ΜΤΜ) (established 1947)
356 Tactical Transport Squadron (356 ΜΤΜ) (established 1953)
358 Search and Rescue Squadron (358 ΜΕΔ) (established 1958)
384 Search and Rescue Squadron (384 ΜΕΔ) (established in 2006)
Approach operations are handled by the Athens Control Centre, in common with all the other airfields in the area.
Use for support of Israel
Greece is leaving the base to the US forces as a transportation hub to support Israel during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis confirmed the use of the base for transport aircraft at a press conference.[4]
