Twenty years after the death of Kosta Eliakis, his memory remains alive in the Air Force and across the country.

The 36-year-old captain was killed as of today on May 23, 2006, during an interception of Turkish fighters near Karpathos.

The day had begun like many others for the 115 Battle Wing in Souda. Turkish aircraft had violated Greek airspace, escorting an RF-4 photographic aircraft, which reportedly had a possible mission to record the locations of Greek S-300 missiles in Crete.

An immediate alert was sounded and a pair of F-16 Block 52+ aircraft took off from the base. Among the pilots was Kostas Eliakis, one of the most experienced and qualified pilots of his generation.

From a young age he had the goal of becoming an Icarus. The Icaron School was the only choice he declared in the Panhellenic exams. After graduation he went through the Tactical Weapons School and the Tactical Leadership Program, and in 2002 he was in the US for training in the then new F-16 Block 52+.

The air battle over Karpathos

Just before one twenty to one in the afternoon, Greek fighters spotted the Turkish aircraft near Karpathos. The reconnaissance and interception process began immediately.

Iliakis approached the RF-4 photo, and according to the audio documents informed his colleague to stay behind a Turkish fighter.

A few seconds later his last words to the Operations Center are heard: “”Kronos” 550 (Eliakis) is going for the “fat one” (RF-4). I’m behind him”.

The fatal manoeuvre

According to what was recorded at the time, Turkish pilot Ibraim Hali suddenly performed a dangerous manoeuvre. The Turkish F-16 passed over the Greek aircraft and probably hit the canopy of the Iliakis fighter with its wing, killing the captain instantly.

The Turkish fighter also lost control and went into a spin, as part of its wing was detached. Hali managed to eject and parachute into the sea.

The second Greek pilot immediately informed the Operations Centre saying: “Kronos I see fire directly ahead 20 miles like an explosion…”.

The second report followed shortly afterwards and froze everyone: “‘Kronos’ have crashed two F-16s south of Karpathos”.

Greece and Turkey on alert

After the collision, tensions hit red. The Greek Air Force took off about 40 fighter jets, while Turkey airlifted about 80.

At the same time, a team from the UK was arriving in the area by helicopter for the search and rescue operation.

The Turkish pilot was recovered from the merchant ship “Gus Century”, while a Greek and Turkish rescue helicopter arrived in the area shortly afterwards.

According to reports at the time, Ibrahim Hali refused Greek assistance and reportedly threatened the Greek rescuers with a pistol until the Turks picked him up.

At the same time, there was direct communication between the then Chief of the General Staff, Admiral Panagiotis Hinofotis, and his Turkish counterpart to avoid further escalation.

The helmet with the crack

A few days after the fatal air battle, two bags of items from the crash site were delivered to the 115 Fighter Wing.

Among the findings was the helmet of Kostas Eliakis. There was a characteristic crack on the back of it, a fact that confirmed the severity of the collision.

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