A second group of Turkish F-4 Phantom II fighter jets and a KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft entered Athens’ FIR at 14.59 (local) without submitting flight plans on Monday, Greece’s National Defence General Staff said on Monday.
The aircraft flew over the northeastern part of Lesvos at 22,000 feet, it said in a press release. The Turkish aircraft, which exited Athens FIR at 15.01 north of Lesvos, were recognized and intercepted by Greek fighter jets.
Earlier, two Turkish F-16 entered Athens’ FIR (13.26 local) between the islands of Lesvos and Chios without submitting a flight plan. The fighter jets flew over the islets of Inouses at 9,000 feet and a minute later they exited Athens FIR through the same route. The Turkish formation was recognized by Greek fighter jets
The Turkish overflights were witnessed by the Dutch frigate “Van Amstel” which is operating east of Chios as part of the NATO operation in the area to stop migrant smuggling rings. The Greek frigate “Salamis” and the Turkish “Gokova” both operate east of Lesvos.
Athens News Agency/Macedonia Press Agency
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