US Strategic Task Force type B-52 bombers conducted a training flight accompanied by two Hellenic F-16 fighter jets in the Athens FIR, sending a message to Russia. The exercise was carried out in the context of the “Onyx Hook” operation.

As announced, the joint training was conducted at the request of USEUCOM (US European Command). The Greek F-16s took on the role of intercepting and escorting the B-52s inside the Athens FIR after their entry from the Sofia FIR, with a route over Thrace, the Northern Sporades, Central Greece, and the Peloponnese.

The activity added to the announcement of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS), demonstrates the strong military ties between Greece and the United States and is part of the updated Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement.