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In June 2025 the Biannual Hellenic Air Force F-104 Starfighter veterans meeting was held.
It has already been 61 years since the arrival of the aircraft in Greece and the first flyover of the TF-104G, S/N 62-12272, above the clear blue Attic sky on March 25, 1964.
It has also been 32 years since the unique sound of the J-79 was last heard — on March 31, 1993 — when the “Tiger” and “Olympus” lowered their landing gear for the final time.
Yet, the memories of those who flew, maintained, and supported the aircraft remain strong through the passage of time. Fortunately, it was Generals (ret. AF) Stelios Xarchoulakos, Giannis Volanis, Epameinondas Dimopoulos, and Nikos Manousakis who, with “full afterburner” and in a “tight, flawless four-ship formation”, succeeded in keeping those memories alive and in strengthening the unbreakable bonds that developed over the years.
They envisioned and brought to life our past outstanding gatherings, reminding us all that “Once A Starfighter, Always A Starfighter.” Guided by their example, we, Lieutenant General (ret. AF) Panagiotis Dimitriadis, Lieutenant General (ret. AF) Lazaros Mantouvalos, Lieutenant General (ret. AF) Petros Chatziris, and Major General (ret. AF) Apostolos Doukellis took the lead in keeping the “Pilot Burner” lit.
In keeping that tradition of over 20 years that sees the F-104 family preserving its heritage alive, an exceptional gathering took place once again this year on June 14, 2025, at the Air Force Officers’ summer Mess, KEDA/Zouberi, with a large turnout.
This year’s event was dedicated to a unique Starfighter’s characteristic what emotionally unites all F-104 veterans: the engine’s howl while transient from 80–82% down to idle and vice versa. A unique noise that undoubtedly had marked those 16 fallen colleagues who are no longer with us, since they received Charon’s kiss in the cockpit. That distinctive howl dominated the whole event and acted as a symbolic connection with them.
But we are here — and we remember them. That is why tonight is dedicated to what we all share: the sound of the engine.
A particularly special highlight of the event was when all the lights turned off to allow a specially prepared tribute video screening, while the F-104 FG-872 Mess’s Guard remained illuminated alone itself in the full moon darkness.
All were invited: pilots, mechanics, technicians, officers, NCOs, and civilian personnel who served in any F-104 Squadron, Wing, or Maintenance Unit, as well as family members and colleagues from other aircraft types who would like to attend, reconnect with old friends, and reunite with fellow airmen whose paths once crossed in their careers.
Another highlight of the evening was the tribute and presentation of commemorative tokens to the four pioneers of this gathering —for their role in keeping the memory of the F-104 Starfighter legacy alive throughout all these the years.
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The event was honored by the presence and address of the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force, Lieutenant General (AF) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, who emphasized the significance of the event as a symbol of unity and respect for tradition and the work of those who came before us.
Also in attendance were the former Chiefs of the Air Force, retired Generals (AF) Dimitrios Litzerakos and Antonios Tsantirakis, along with a significant number of senior officers, families of fallen airmen, and numerous colleagues — many of whom traveled from afar to be present.
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| From left-to-right: Panagiotis Dimitriadis, (currently the Chair of the Air Force Veterans Association), Epameinondas Dimopoulos, Nikos Manousakis, Stelios Xarchoulakos, Petros Xatziris, Apostolos Doukellis, Lazaros Mantouvalos, (Giannis Volanis, one of the 4 progenitors is missing from the photo) | |
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We renew our commitment to meet again in June 2027 — keeping the "Burner" lit.
See the wonderful after-movie at Youtube via this link.
Thanks to one of the organizers Apostolos Doukellis
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