In addition to the air bases of Souda, Araxos and Aktion, the Greek government is considering making available the air bases of Tanagra (Beoetia), Kasteli (Crete) and even Elefsina, as its allies submit more and more requests for airplanes.
According to ANT1 TV, all Arab aircrafts are carrying air-to-air missiles, i.e. they will be patrolling only the implementation of the No Fly Zone and will participate in bombing Libyan soil.
While there is no official information from the Greek side about what is going on at the Souda or Araxos military bases where allied aircraft are stationed, on the ‘unofficial’, off the record basis, there are reports that more than 30 air fighters are currently stationed at the two military bases and that 40 more requests have been submitted to Greece. There are claims that the U.S.A. has submitted requests for ‘dozens’ of aircrafts. It seems that there will be operations that will intensify by this Monday.
Apparently 4o% of the No Fly Zone missions are served by the aircraft stationed in Greece.
Last night four Mirage 2000 from Qatar landed at the Souda air base. The total number of Qatari Mirage at Souda is six. On Friday, two Qatari Mirage and two French Mirage armed with air-to-air missiles, took off for patrolling missions in Libya. It was the first time Arab fighters participated on missions against another Arab state.
Tomorrow, Souda base is awaiting 12 planes ( 6 F-16 and 6 Mirage) from the United Arab Emirates for refuelling. They will make a short stopover at Souda and will continue on, to be stationed at an Italian military base.
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